Quirky entertainment at Stilton Cheese Rolling (Photo: © Stilton Community Association).
When: 1st May 2017, from 10.30am (cheese rolling begins at 12 noon)
Where: High Street, Stilton, Cambridgeshire
£: Free to watch. It costs £5 per team to enter the competition.
What is it?
This year’s Stilton Cheese Rolling competition will take place on Monday 1st May in Stilton, Cambridgeshire.
This annual May bank holiday tradition began after the village found itself in need of a boost. The event was thought up by a local pub landlord as a way of bringing in new visitors to the area.
For the competition, participants must compete in teams of four. Teams can be all men, all women or mixed juniors. Each team member must roll the cheese at least once during its ‘flight’. The competition works on a knockout basis. The junior teams compete first, followed by the ladies’ heats and the mens’ heats. The finals then take place, concluding with the Champion of Champions. The event itself will begin at 12 noon with a parade of the teams, most of whom will be in fancy dress ready for the contest.
Stilton Cheese Rolling teams compete on the High Street (Photo: © Stilton Community Association).
The day’s entertainment will begin at 10.30am with the crowning of the May King, Queen and Princesses. From 10.50 there is an array of entertainment taking place in the arena. Entertainment will include The Harmony Twirling Team, Pig Dyke Molly, Magic Dave’s conjuring spectacle and live music from the Tiki Creeps.
Throughout the day there will be stalls, sideshows, fairground rides, the May Garland, and a cafe in the local church. There will also be a beer festival at The Tunnels pub to keep everyone suitably refreshed.
More info: www.stilton.org/cheese-rolling and www.facebook.com/stiltoncheeserolling