Festival explodes into life

Buy photos» Leteisha Doherty, three, gets a colourful makeover. Picture by Alex Bradbury. 3211015ABR4

Ruth Cobban

10 August. Updated: 12 August 08:57

THE WORCESTER Festival exploded into life at the weekend as thousands flocked to the city to enjoy the launch of the three week long extravaganza.
The opening weekend saw crowds of people flood the High Street with pink balloons on Saturday (August 6) as they celebrated the start of the festival.
Saturday also saw hundreds of people gather on the South Quay to watch the firing of the guns of 214 (Worcestershire) Battery, marking the official launch of the festival, and the St Richard's Hospice Duck Race on the River Severn.
The festival runs until Monday, August 29 and features hundreds of events at over 50 venues across the city.
Festival director, Chris Jaeger, said: "The opening week went absolutely spectacularly. We had the wonderful Bollywood Brass band down from London belting down the High Street on Saturday and there were thousands of people in the city centre with pink balloons celebrating the launch of the festival season. Hundreds of people took part in the artists market on the South Quay on Sunday and the weather was gorgeous."

Here are some of the highlight to look forward to over the next week:

Saturday, August 13.
Clowning around at the Worcester Library
Worcester City Library. Free. 10 to 4pm

One Step Beyond Appalachian Dance
College Green Live Stage. Worcester Cathedral. Free. 11am to 11.30am

Sunday, August 14.
Riverside Artists Market
South Quay. Free. 11am to 5pm

Lead guitar - Beginner's Workshop
Elgar School of Music. £15. 10am to 12.30pm

Bands in the Park
Gheluvelt Park. Free. 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Monday, August 15.
Centenary Music at St Martin's
St Martin's Church. Free. 10am

John Kirkpatrick - The Victorian Farmer's Year in Song
The Commandery. £7.50 - including drink. 5pm to 6pm

Tuesday, August 16.
Bookstart Bounce and Rhymetime (for children aged one to four)
Worcester Library. Free.10am to 10.30am

Swan Theatre backstage tour
Swan Theatre. £6 including drink. 7pm to 9pm

Wednesday, August 17.
Egyptian Gold - Egyptian jewelery workshop. (for children five to 12)
Worcester City Gallery and Museum. £4.50 - booking essential. 10.30am to 12.30pm

Toy day at the Commandery
The Commandery. £1 plus normal admission fees. 11am to 4pm

Thursday, August 18.
Victoria Institute Inspiration Through Learning Exhibition
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum. Free. 10.30am

Piano and Cello Recital with Janine Smith and Corrine Frost.
Elgar School of Music. £10 (£8 concessions). 12pm to 1.30pm

Friday, August 19.
My Perfect Day Intergenerational Arts Exhibition
Art House Café, Chapel Walk. Free. 10am to 4pm.

Butterfly Puppet Theatre
CrownGate Bell Square. Free. 11am to 12pm

For more information visit www.worcesterfestival.co.uk.