Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 23 July 2022

A POPULAR three-day long Snap Dragon Festival is to return in Hinckley’s award-winning Argents Mead park for children and families from Wednesday, 3 August to Friday, 5 August.

The festival – which runs from 11am to 3pm each day – is free-to-attend, meaning that families can just show up, without having to worry about trying to book in advance.

Each day that the festival is taking place will feature a different theme. On Wednesday, ‘National Play Day’ will be celebrated. This will be followed by ‘Let the Games Begin’ on Thursday, and ‘Kings and Queens’ on Friday, the last day.

All attendees are being given the chance to enjoy a ‘traditional’ day at the seaside each day, in the giant sand pit, which has been sponsored by Hinckley Bid, who are the town’s very own Business Improvement District.

And, there is even a chance to meet Snappy, the Snap Dragon Festival’s very own mascot.

Attendees can have their photographs taken in a giant deckchair, groove in the Snappy disco sponsored by Fosse 107, build sandcastles, take part in a treasure trail bug hunt, play in the games garden, relax in deckchairs, or bring along a teddy and enjoy a teddy bear’s picnic at one of the many tables located around the park.

As well as this, a dedicated craft station is being held – and looked after by the United Reform Churches.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) have shared a detailed list of all three the themed events for each day with the Hinckley Free Press.

These are as follows:

National Play Day – Wednesday, 3 August

Youngsters are invited to bring a swimsuit and splash and enjoy our water slides.

Anyone feeling more energetic can ride on a donkey at £2 per ride, cash only, with height restrictions in operation and no flip flops.

Everyone can laugh along to the free Punch and Judy show, learn to juggle, or plate spin in our free circus workshops, enjoy a story from Tom the Tale Teller in the story telling tent plus lots more.

Let The Games Begin – Thursday, 4 August

The whole family can have a go at a new sport such as rugby, tennis, football.

Try some team building exercises or create your own fun on our obstacle course.

Dance in our snappy disco fitness workouts, enjoy yoga with Barefoot Yoga or take part in an accessible sports workshop and try boccia.

The Leicestershire Fire and Rescue (LFRS) will be hand on give everyone a tour of a fire engine – unless there is an emergency! And, a mascot race will also be taking place.

King and Queens Day – Friday, 5 August

This is a great opportunity to get dressed up for the day. Join in with the fancy dress costume competition, where winners will be announced at 12.30pm.

Enrol in jousting or run the gauntlet workshops, enjoy a magic show and there will be story telling by Nina Taylor.

A Refill water station will be in the Mead, with free water, as well as another station which is serving up refills of squash. But, it has been stressed that the squash station does requires a minimum charge to use.

As well as this, Snap Dragon T-Shirts and water bottles can be purchased.

And, a newly-founded charity named Baby Basics Hinckley, who are a volunteer-led project, will also be attending to explain how you could help them or how to get involved.

Coun. Keith Nichols, the Borough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, said: “In the current climate and with so many families staying home during the summer holiday, the Snap Dragon Festival offers many fantastic play opportunities for children, young people, families, and friends to come together and have a great time.”

He concluded: “I hope that as many people as possible can join us at these events and have a fantastic time.”