The Wray Scarecrow Festival and Fair gets underway this weekend.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s the first time for three years that the full event will take place, with a whole host of activities planned between Saturday, April 23rd, and Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd.
The 2022 theme is ‘celebrate.’
The first Wray Scarecrow Festival was organised in 1992. It was the brainchild of David Hartnup, and a few other local residents, after David and his wife encountered a similar festival in France whilst on holiday.
The Festival is organised each year by the ‘Scarecrow Committee’, a small but dedicated band of local volunteers. The committee is supported by a much larger team of people who help with activities such as litter-picking, ice-cream selling, car parking, programme selling, bunting and marquee erecting.
The programme of events includes:
Sat 23rd April: Scarecrow Festival starts, 10k Road Race (1.15pm). Open to all runners aged 15 years and older, starting approx. 1.15pm near Old Bobbin Mill (entry fees apply). Scarecrow medals for all finishers, and prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Veteran categories.
Sun 24th April: Car boot on Wray School field (from 8am), Forest of Bowland Populaire (departs from Wray Institute 9am)
Mon 25th – Thu 28th April: Pupils from Wray with Botton Endowed Primary School will be maypole dancing outside the school (daily, 2:30pm)
Tue 26th April: Wray Caton Moor Fell Race, a partially marked course of 6.8 miles / 11km, 1,100 feet of ascent. It starts 7pm at Milennium Flood Gardens, Wray, nr Lancaster, LA2 8QP – grid reference SD605676. Entries £5 on the day only. 18+ only.
Fri 29th April: Book signing: “Codebreaking Sisters – Our Secret War” (11am) at the Bridge House Tearooms – Entry £10 includes a signed copy of their book.
Fri 29th April: Giant Scarecrows Parade - The Parade starts at Gars End and finishes at Bridge House Tea Rooms. This year’s Parade will be led by Batala Samba Reggae band and will be followed by music, and there will be food and drink available to purchase.
Sat 30th April and Sun 1st May: Local history walks (10am, 2pm) - this 45-60minute tour will reveal the fascinating, and often tumultuous, history of Wray village. Departing from the George & Dragon.
Mon 2nd May: Wray Fair, Great Ball Race, & local history walks (10am).
The Fair Day includes the Samba Espirito band, Croix du Nord Vikings, Dog agility (including have-a-go with your own dog), Paula Marie (vintage vocalist), Gary Gacko, Final of the junior football competition, The Great Scarecrow Ball Race, The Honeybirds, lots of food and craft outlets, and lots and lots of scarecrows
Entry costs £8 and includes parking and entrance to the Fair. Programmes cost £3, with all proceeds to local charities.
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