The sound of bells, sticks and folk music will echo across the region as hundreds of Morris dancers are set to take to the streets.
Towns and villages in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire will host the lively displays as part of the Vale of Evesham Morris Weekend.
Towns and villages in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire will see the lively display as part of the Vale of Evesham Morris Weekend.
The event, set to run from Friday, June 19, to Sunday, June 21, is in its 23rd year and will include more than 400 dancers from 40 different groups.
They will perform a variety of styles, including Appalachian, Border, Cotswold, Mumming, Molly Dancing, Northwest, Clog Stepping, and Sword.
The festivities will kick off with informal folk music and song sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings at Evesham Rowing Club, the Red Lion, Evesham, and the Fleece Inn, Bretforton.
Dancing will take place throughout Saturday in various towns and villages, culminating in an end-of-day display in Abbey Gardens, Evesham.
Evesham’s Market Place and the town centre will also see performances throughout Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
A special procession by 40 sides will start at 11am on Sunday, beginning in Abbey Park, Evesham, and making its way along Bridge Street to Market Place.
The Mayor will present the “Evesham Stick” to the side that has best-demonstrated the “spirit of the Morris.”
Other highlights include a special Quarter Peal rung from Evesham’s 16th Century Bell Tower by members of the Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers at 6.30pm on Saturday, and a service at All Saints Church, Market Place, Evesham, on Sunday at 10am, featuring Morris dancing in the church.
The full list of locations for events taking part over the weekend includes Broadway, Bromsgrove, Blackwell, Childswickham, Droitwich, Feckenham, Inkberrow, and Worcester in Worcestershire.
Chipping Campden, Tewkesbury, and Toddington in Gloucestershire.
Alcester, Ilmington, Stratford-upon-Avon, Welford, and Warwick in Warwickshire.
