North Walsham's Rite of Spring festival line-up announced

The North Walsham 'Rite of Spring' event is aimed at celebrating the town's heritage and the start of summer.

Festivities will run from Friday, April 28 to Monday, May 8. 

READ MORE: Rite of Spring festival planned for North Walsham in 2023

Rebecca Lysaght, co-owner of the Shambles Bar Bistro in Market Street, came up with the idea and is part of the organising team.

"We're utterly thrilled by the response so far and the festival might be the first of many," she said. 

"Several people in our group have some great connections - previously working with musicians, bands and in theatres - so we've been able to attract some high-calibre performers.

"We've got all sorts of music, from swing to jazz, blues, rock and folk.

"We've got an incredible piano recital finale from Will Fergusson in the church, who has put together a spectacular piece of music."

Guevaras Blues Band and the Meltones will perform at the Black Swan pub on April 28, from 8pm.

The Jazz Boys will play at the Shambles from 7.30pm on April 29.

A family show called Modern Cautionary Tales for Children with Murray Lachlan Young is on at the Atrium on April 30 from 3.30pm

People of all ages are encouraged to dress up in traditional pagan attire for the Grand May Day parade, which starts from the parish church on Monday, May 1. This also coincides with North Walsham's Children's Day.

Organisers are offering everyone who takes part in the parade free food from a barbeque outside Shambles. 

Uncle Walter's Folk Night - a tribute to Knapton folk singer Walter Pardon - will take place at Shambles on 6.30pm on May 2, and there will be a screening of The Wicker Man on May 3 at the Atrium, from 7.30pm.

For more details visit the Rite of Spring Festival of North Walsham 23 Facebook page.