Look out for St George and Gus at the festival.
When: 23rd April – 21st June 2018
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 Sunday 23rd April, celebrating St George’s Day, National Asparagus Day, and start of the English asparagus growing season, with the Great English Asparagus Run.
The first of the new season’s asparagus to be cut, is given a blessing and a special ode in a ceremony involving ‘Gus the Asparagus Man’ and ‘St George’. 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!
The next highlight in the calendar will be in May when the Asparabus Coach Tours take place, giving passengers the chance to learn more about the area and its links to the vegetable. These fun and informative asparagus-themed tours will run on Thursday 10th and Thursday 17th May and seats should be booked in advance.
Celebrate asparagus with the British Asparagus Festival.
May will also see the return of the Asparagus Family Colour Fun Run as participants dress up in green and join Gus the Asparagus Man for an alternative challenge. Expect asparagus green paint bombs to rain down on you as you manoeuvre this multi-terrain family friendly run, which takes place on Sunday 20th May.
Next up on the festival calendar will be The Famous Fleece Asparagus Auctions, taking place on 27th May and 3rd June. The asparagus auctions will take place at the historic Fleece Inn, Bretforton. Bretforton Silver Band will entertain the crowds and the free event will raise money for the band’s instruments as well as give people the chance to purchase some of the season’s best produce.
Finally, the Vale of Evesham National Morris Weekend will take place from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th June, to round off the events. Morris teams from all over the country will visit the area to perform for the weekend. Expect plenty of singing and dancing around the local towns, with costumed performances taking place at various venues.
The Vale of Evesham has a long history of asparagus growing and asparagus grown in the vale has been awarded European (EU) protected food name status. The asparagus growing season begins in April and lasts for just six weeks.
More info: www.britishasparagusfestival.org