1. Overview

This year the Festival will be held on Saturday 13th June and we will endeavour, as usual, to maintain the same ethos as previous years i.e a good family fun day out with plenty to do for the children. The profit from the sale of programmes will go to the Odiham Cottage Hospital. The price of programmes will continue to remain at £1. The theme for the procession will be “Heroes and Villains”.

2. Site Layout

This will be very similar to last year but we will provide even more space for the BBQ and Beer Tent as these are very busy areas where people tend to congregate. Green Lane will again be closed for normal traffic from 12pm until 5pm

3. Attractions

In the Arena we will have:

Hillbillies Western act

Norman the Doorman Trampoline act

Marching Band

Morris Men

Tug of War

Childrens’ Races

Other attractions will include:

Circus Workshop

Pinxston Puppets

Funfair

Miller’s Ark Animal Farm

Beer Tent

BBQ

Beat the Goalie

Ice Cream van

Candyfloss Stall

Grandpa Spells Jazz band

Classic Cars

Steam engines

Face Painting

Several Bouncy Attractions for the Children

Sumo Wrestling

……………and, of course, a vast variety of stalls

4. Procession

The theme for the procession is “Heroes and Villains”. The response from the invitations sent out is, so far, very good and looks as if, once more, it will be a great success. The procession will start from Greenfields at 12.30pm. Those taking part are required to be there between 12 and 12.15pm

5. Stalls

Such is the popularity of the Festival, the request for stalls grows each year and we are now just about full. However, we are expecting a bit more space on the common this year, so we should be able to accommodate a few more stalls than usual

6. Arena

There will be a stage at the side of the arena in the form of a 45ft low sided lorry, where the opening ceremony, presentations and MC, will provide the focal point.

We have not yet finalised the Arena timetable, but the Festival will conclude at the usual time of 5pm.

7. Classic Cars

Basingstoke Classic Car Club is once again helping us to organise this. We anticipate a similar number of cars to last year

8. Programmes and Sponsorship

The preparation for the programme is in hand and all selling areas have been agreed with HDC. Sponsorship letters are being sent to past and potential new supporters and we have already received a number of pledges.

9. Publicity

A similar article to the one in Contact magazine this month will also be used for Hook Focus, Odiham Parish Mag, Hampshire Voice, Basingstoke Gazette and Fleet News. It will also be displayed in local village halls and church notice boards.