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Richmond MayFest 2024

Planning for MayFest 2024 is well underway!

The starting point has been feedback from the last couple of events, and this has told us:

GOOD

  • the different themed days of Music, Dance and Tales

  • the variety of entertainment on offer

  • the atmosphere, and seeing the town centre come alive 

  • the Silly History Boys! and generally it's great to see the children enjoying themselves

  • the ceilidh is always popular

  • the concerts were well-attended and got really good feedback

NOT-SO-GOOD

  • the weather

  • not enough happening in the Castle

  • the parking in the town centre

  • safety issues for performances in the Market Place 

SUGGESTIONS

  • more in the Castle - stalls, refreshments, activities

  • a park and ride service into the Town Centre

  • protected performance area in the Market Place 

  • work with schools more

We've already decided:

  • we'll keep the Music, Dance and Tales themes for different days

  • we'll keep our three main venues of Castle, Town Hall and Market Place

  • we'll keep the mix of free daytime activities plus a few ticketed events

  • BUT the Castle will be the main focus with lots more happening - stalls, games, re-enactment as well as music, dance and storytelling

  • we will offer options to schools to get involved with free workshops in the run-up to MayFest

  • we'll reviewing parking options and safety in the Market Place​

Right now, our priority is to keep hearing from YOU, especially if you want to be part of Richmond MayFest 2024. So....​

Schools in Richmond, Catterick Garrison and Swaledale:

  • get in touch if you are interested in MayPole dancing workshops, week beginning 29 April

  • get in touch if you are interested in arts workshops in April 2024 - the theme is May Day and the aim is to create costumes and puppets for the MayFest parade on the morning of Monday May 6th

  • and get in touch if you have any more ideas for MayFest!

Folk clubs

  • would you like to run a session or a singalong? Please get in touch!

  • if any soloists or groups would like to perform at MayFest again please get in touch.

  • Storytellers are also welcome!

Dance sides, clubs and schools

  • if you are a Morris side and interested in dancing at MayFest, please get in touch with Richmond on Swale Morris Men who are organising a Day of Dance on the Sunday

  • if you are involved in any kind of group or club doing historical or traditional dancing, we'd love to hear from you. Would you like to do a demonstration dance session? Or a have-a-go session? A beginners workshop to recruit new members? Get in touch and we will do our best to fit it in!

  • Participation from local dance schools is great! Get in touch if you'd like to show off what your students can do. Perhaps you could offer a taster session? We'd love to hear from you.

Buskers

  • Busking adds loads to the scene at MayFest, so if you play traditional or historical music and would like to come and busk in Richmond Town Centre during the event, please get in touch. NB - acoustic only please!

Professional musicians, storytellers, street entertainers and community artists

We are actively programming for 2024 and 2025, so â€‹please get in touch if you can offer performances, workshops, street acts or arts workshops that fit the May Day theme. 

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