Events for The Big 50
To celebrate Telford’s 50th birthday next year, the Council is organising and supporting a range of anniversary celebrations and events. This will include parties, festivals, carnivals, events and other festive activities that people can join in.
The first half of next year will feature familiar annual events that for 2018 will be even bigger and better than ever with the “Telford 50” theme to the fore. In addition, a number of special anniversary events are also expected. Next year’s “Spring into the Park” will celebrate St Georges Day in suitable style on 22 April with a host of magical activities and entertainment, in Telford Town Park’s Queen Elizabeth II Arena. Expect arena spectacles, food and fun but also some exciting nostalgic elements from old town events, such as Super Saturday, that many people said they would like to see return for next year’s town celebration. More details on this will be released soon. The Friends of the Town Park are inviting people to celebrate Telford’s half century with a special event sponsored by Telford-based Japanese company, Maxell. Next year also sees Oakengates Theatre @ the Place’s reach 50. To celebrate this, the Theatre will host a newly commissioned Telford-themed pantomime from 25 March to 5 April. Especially written for Telford @50, Pantomania, will pay homage to the people and places of Telford in a fun packed traditional family show with all the expected characters, comedy gags, audience participation and frivolity. The annual Kite Festival will turn into a “Kite and Flight” Festival on 12 and 13 May. Next year will feature even more spectacular acrobatic aerial displays with stunt kites, large scale kites and, for the first time in many years, we will bring a host of hot air balloons to fly over Telford. Council Leader Shaun Davies said: ““We are looking forward to a fantastic landmark year with lots of memorable events for our residents and visitors to take part in. “We want to celebrate Telford as an ever developing town, a great place to live and work in or to visit. Our events will also help to show what Telford stands for today and the exciting future ahead.” There are lots more to come to mark the 50 unique anniversary and the programme of events will continue to be updated on the dedicated Telford 50 website.
The Sakura Festival takes place in Telford Town Park’s Maxell Gardens on 21 April and in addition to beautiful flowering cherry trees, a taste of Japan will be recreated with live Japanese music, Taiko Drummers, Japanese street food and more. The evening gardens spectacle will be a ticketed event and you are advised to book early.
The annual “Carnival of Giants” on Sunday 15 July becomes a Carnival of Telford Giants, to mark the anniversary with an awesome, colourful carnival celebrating Telford’s people and places, our heritage and our bright future. Communities are now being invited to take part and create costumes, music and dances for the procession.
To be kept informed of the latest news on Telford 50 please register here and join our dedicated Facebook group.
