Preparations for the Chard Summer Festival are coming to a conclusion, with the event set to start on Saturday 18 July from 9am.
The town’s Summer Festival is set to be held over two days and will see Holyrood Street shut for a Craft / Street Market, street entertainers, the ‘Chard Eye’ Ferris wheel, the lighting of the beacon, plus much more.
South Somerset District Council (SSDC) has approved a grant of £745 towards the weekend’s event. The grant will contribute towards the events being run on the Saturday. The festival was held last year to celebrate the return of the market charter from SSDC and was such a success that it’s being run again this year.
The event includes:
Saturday 9am start:
- Craft / Street market in Holyrood Street
- Guided tours of the Court House
- Buskers and street entertainers all day
5.30pm:
The ‘Chard Eye’ Ferris wheel (Tickets for the Chard Eye are now on sale at Chard News & Barrons)
6pm:
- Procession through town up to the beacon
- Fire breathers
- Live entertainment
- Side shows
9:30pm:
- Lighting of the beacon
- Entertainment continues until 11pm.
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm: ‘Party in the Park’ at Jocelyn Park
Councillor Carol Goodall, South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee Chairman said, “We are all looking forward to this wonderful event and hope that the residents of Chard and surrounding areas come and enjoy the activities that will be put on for them. This was a marvellous weekend last year, so there’s no reason why it can’t be bigger and better this year”.
Local Councillors from Chard have been working hard to ensure the Chard Summer Festival is a success. Councillor Jason Baker said, “It looks like we are going to have a great weekend packed with lots to do for all the family ranging from a ride on the Ferris wheel on Saturday to see Chard from the air, to a cream tea on Sunday afternoon! Anyone wishing to get involved or take part please let us know. We keep busy all year round putting many events on in Chard”.