Look out for St George and Gus at the festival.
When: 23rd April – 21st June 2016
Where: Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire
£: Ticket prices vary depending on the event
What is it?
Vegetable lovers can celebrate the asparagus season with the British Asparagus Festival, running from 23rd April to 21st June in the Vale of Evesham.
The festival calendar begins on Saturday 23rd April (St George’s Day and start of the English asparagus growing season), with the Great English Asparagus Run. This quirky celebration involves the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire taking a giant round of asparagus, in a classic Morgan car, across the country. Why? Well, why not!
Visitors to the run should look out for Gus the Asparagus Man, the world-famous Asparamancer (who allegedly can predict your fortune by the fall of the spears), morris dancing, loads of ‘green’ children, and the AsparaFairy.
The next event in the asparagus festival calendar is The Famous Fleece Asparagus Auctions on 29th May and 5th June. The asparagus auctions begin at 7pm in the courtyard of the historic Fleece Inn, Bretforton. The event raises money for the Bretforton Silver Band’s instruments.
Celebrate asparagus with the British Asparagus Festival.
On Monday 30th May the Asparagus Festival Family Fun Day takes place at the Fleece Inn. In addition to the pub’s asparagus menu there is family fun including morris dancing and music.
During May and early June there will be Asparabus Coach Tours giving passengers the chance to learn more about the area and its links to the vegetable, with visits to the Fleece Inn, a local farm shop and asparagus field.
One of the highlights of the calendar is the Asparafest, which this year takes place on 4th and 5th June at Ashdown Farm near Evesham. The asparagus festival features live music, food, family activities, workshops and demonstrations.
The live music this year will include Dodgy, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, London Veg Orchestra, DH Lawrence & The Vaudeville Skiffle Show and the Roving Crows. There will be family-friendly entertainment with craft activities from Junkfish, the Quack Pack, Easy Peasy Cookery School, Animal Magic, Falconry Days and Worcester Barn Owls. There will also be steam engines and vintage cars.
Finally, the Vale of Evesham National Morris Weekend will take place from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June to round off the events.
More info: www.britishasparagusfestival.org