Watch out for ‘Queen Victoria’ as she arrives at the festival
When: 18th – 24th August 2014
Where: Llandrindod Wells, Wales
£: Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Some events are free
What is it?
Step back in time to the 1800s with the Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells from 18th to 24th August. The festival has an eclectic programme of events including dances, talks, music, competitions and parades. The more quirky events include a best dressed hat competition, a bicycle parade, a street organ festival and a Victorian sewing bee.
The Victorian Festival kicks off on Monday 18th August with a talk at The Pavilion on the History of Pantomime. This will be followed by a visit from ‘Queen Victoria’ at the Bandstand and competitions including a children’s fancy dress competition and the best dressed hat. The official opening of the Victorian Festival takes place at the Bandstand at 6.30pm with ‘Queen Victoria’ and the High Sheriff of Powys, Phillip Bowen. The first day wraps up with a concert at The Pavilion.
On Tuesday 19th August there will be a Costume Cavalcade at the Bandstand, followed by a Dickens fancy dress competition. There will also be a costumed tea dance, a screening of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Gerald Dickens, the great, great, great grandson of Charles Dickens, will perform a one-man show.
Wednesday 20th August will start with a talk at The Pavilion on dressing like a Victorian lady. During the day there will be a Bicycle Parade with some wonderful bikes loaned from the National Cycle Museum. There will also be more fancy dress competitions, a children’s party, a concert and a Servants’ Ball.
Join the Suffragettes at the Victorian Festival
Highlights for Thursday 21st August include a talk on fantastic fans, a festival tea dance and a Country and Western Evening. Friday 22nd August will see the 29th International Street Organ Festival take place at the Bandstand with ‘Queen Victoria’ in attendance. There will also be a sewing bee, more competitions and a 1940s evening to enjoy.
On Saturday 23rd August there will be a Historic Vehicle Display and Grand Parade, a Grand Street Organ Procession, and a Festival Mardi Gras which will see a parade of Victorian fancy dress. The day will end with a Grand Festival Ball. The final day of the Victorian Festival, Sunday 24th August, will have a talk on Home Entertainment in Victorian Times, a best dressed parasol competition and a Victorian Scruffs dog show. There will also be a concert, ballroom dancing, a Suffragette March and Demonstration, a Grand Torchlight Procession and a fireworks display to mark the end of the festival.
More info: www.victorianfestival.co.uk