Salt Day set to become a full festival

DROITWICH’s landmark Salt Day festival will become a weekend-long spectacular from September, The Standard can exclusively reveal.

The event, which celebrates the town’s rich salt heritage, has been an integral part of Droitwich’s calendar since 2006.

Since then, it has grown considerably with stalls and activities spreading across the town from Vines Park to Victoria Square.

The event attracts thousands of visitors and helps to publicise the town with popular attractions including the Romans, live music, Forever Forties displays and canal boat trips. Many local groups also get involved by having stalls or organising

activities

And now ‘Salt Fest’ will allow organisers and visitors the chance to explore more events and activities, as well as providing a vital boost to the Spa’s economy.

Organisers Droitwich Spa Area Partnership and Wychavon District Council have set up a Salt Fest committee to oversee the new event.

While plans are still in the early stages, the two-day spectacular is expected to feature many of the original event’s popular favourites with the addition of some new activities.

Ideas for a ‘Salt Alley’, depicting the town’s salt history, costumed guided walks, art exhibitions and a street market are among those being discussed by organisers.

And the weekend will also be boosted by the return of the Wychavon Festival of Brass on September 16 which attracts brass bands and visitors from across the country and will see concerts at Norbury Theatre and Droitwich Spa High School.

Janet Yates, Droitwich Spa Area Partnership Manager for Wychavon, said: “Salt Day has become an extremely popular event and, after consultation with participants, we decided it is now time to extend it into a weekend festival.

“This gives scope for new attractions and attracting more visitors.

“By joining up with the Wychavon Festival of Brass, it promises to be a busy weekend for the town,” she added.

The newly re-branded event will take place on September 15 and 16 and represents yet another significant addition to the town’s ever-expanding events calendar.

The popular St Richard’s Festival and Classic Car Rally on May 5 and the new Water and Music Festival in July are already firm favourites among Spa residents.

But this year will also see Droitwich host the Olympic torch relay on May 24, while plans for celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are also in full swing.

For more information on Salt Fest call Janet Yates on 01386 565355 or e-mail janet.yates@wychavon.gov.uk.