Harborough By The Sea set to be biggest and best yet

Final preparations are underway by Harborough District Council, and others, to make this year’s event the biggest and best yet, with a special launch evening on Friday 31 July 2015, followed by five full days of activities for all the family.

The not-to-be-missed annual event attracts families from all over the district and beyond to Market Harborough in Leicestershire and, this year, even more is planned including new activities at Welland Park, Memorial Gardens, Harborough library, and along the River Welland. 

As well as the deckchairs and sandpits, open from 10am from Saturday, other activities include:

• Friday – ‘European holiday tasting tour’ launch event, from 5pm to 8pm, on The Square with live music, hog roast and wine and beer tasting. ‘Passport’ style tickets are available for £5 from Duncan Murray Wines in Adam and Eve Street 
• Saturday – ‘Great British Seaside Day’ with activities on The Square and in the Memorial Gardens including giant games, seaside peep board (designed by local students), historical treasure trail, guided cycle rides along the Millennium Mile with chance to win a cycling jersey signed by Olympian Dani King, Punch and Judy, balloon modelling, face painting, music on The Square and, in Welland Park, the parkrun (at 9am) and Harborough Sport Club showcase with taster sessions from 9am to 4pm
• Sunday – ‘Great British Seaside Sunday’ with giant games, seaside peep board, Harborough songs of praise, Churches Together band, messy church, sport activities at Welland Park including a mobile skate park and grass bowls, and river dipping with a mobile laboratory
• Monday – ‘Our Community Day’ with sandcastle competitions, giant games, Punch and Judy, sporting activities at Welland Park, balloon modelling, face painting, walk-about puppets, family trail, historic treasure trail, river dipping, music on The Square, and Paralympic roadshow with multi-sport/inclusive activities including seated volleyball, boccia and wheelchair basketball
• Tuesday – ‘Chill Out Day’ with giant games, seaside peep board, sporting activities at Welland Park, Punch and Judy, balloon modelling, face painting, walk-about puppets, family trail, historic treasure trail, river dipping, music on The Square, and multi-sports activities throughout the day including zorb football, football and touch rugby
• Wednesday – ‘National Play Day’ with archaeological dig, interactive music workshops on the bandstand, open mic sessions, outdoor story-time, craft activities with Paint Pottle, peep board, Punch and Judy, music on The Square, inventing games at Welland Park, and hourly treasure hunts taking place from Welland Park café

There will be a food and drink quarter, featuring local produce, in a marquee on The Square for lunch and refreshments and traditional seaside sticks of rock, which have been specially-created for the event, will also be on sale. Pitches for the food and drink quarter are still available by emailing h.nicholls@harborough.gov.uk

Local businesses have already started to decorate their windows and shop fronts in a seaside theme for the best dressed window competition being judged by the Harborough District Council chairman. 

Musicians can also apply to perform at the event – with an exciting line-up of acts already confirmed to appear. Just email harboroughbythesea@harborough.gov.uk if you are interesting in performing.

The event is organised by Harborough District Council with support from a number of local businesses and organisations. 

For full details visit www.harborough.gov.uk/harboroughbythesea