A WEEKEND schedule bursting with live music, delicious local produce, family fun, art workshops, and mindblowing stunts is expected to draw in the crowds to Haverfordwest from today (Friday).
Haverfordwest Festival Week sees a host of family-friendly events planned for the town, with a fantastic selection of performances, exhibitions and activities also on offer.
Monday, July 25
From 10am, an artist’s take on Pembrokeshire’s animal droving history will be shown at the Old Bridge Square, Riverside Shopping, and expect another visual feast at the Haver-Colour-Fest exhibition on Castle Square from 11am, courtesy of the VC Gallery.
Tuesday, July 26
Art breaks out of the gallery on Tuesday, with local works on display throughout the town.
Fairground favourites Punch and Judy will be showing off on the Old Bridge Square near Wilkinson at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm.
Solva artist Raul Speek will bring more colour to Castle Square from noon, and Tuesday evening will see Pembrokeshire life during the Second World War explored at The Lab (formerly Ocky Whites) from 7.30pm.
Wednesday, July 27
A Big Model drop-in workshop will keep busy hands entertained at the Lab from 11am, while the Old Records Office at the Castle provides a suitably spooky backdrop for Dr Simon Hancock’s talk on historic ghosts and legends of Pembrokeshire at 7pm.
Thursday, July 28
The Army Reserves will be on Castle Square between 10am and 4pm, and a fishing taster day at the Frolic (by the Bristol Trader pub) will teacher novice fisherman of all ages how to tie knots, bait up and cast off between 10am and 2pm.
Friday, July 29
Junior football fun session at the Bridge Meadow grounds kick off at 11am, Vagrants Crew bring their sea shanties to the Riverside Shopping from 10am, and a balloon race will add further buoyancy to proceedings at the New Bridge (near Castle Square) at 11am.
Kid-friendly pop and indie will liven up the grounds of Haverfordwest Castle between 7pm and 11pm, as part of the Pembs Fest weekend.
This alcohol-free event is suitable for under-18s, with local acts such as Lucy Jones and Rosey Cale alongside an established Taylor Swift tribute.
A barbecue and campfire tales will provide food for the body and soul at the Paddocks at 7.30pm.
Saturday, July 30
Dog lovers can meet a host of for-legged friends as Greenacres Animal Rescue brings some of its cutest pooches for a meet and greet on the Old Bridge square from 10am.
A grand national soapbox derby will see homemade vehicles of all shapes and sizes race for fun on the Race Course between 12pm and 5pm, where Miss Pembrokeshire ill also be drawing the week’s grand raffle prize winners.
Over-18s can enjoy 11 hours of live music sets at the Castle for day two of Pembs Fest, with a host of DJs also mixing things up in the former prison building from 12pm until 11pm.
Sunday, July 31
Rounding off the week will be an open day at Haverfordwest Fire Station from 12pm until 4pm.
What's already taken place:
Friday, July 22
14th Signals Regiment will be showing off their culinary skills at Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market, where you can also stock up on tasty local treats between 9am and 3pm.
Music In Bloom performance by Penfro Minstrel at St Mary’s Church kicks off the Flower Festival at 12.30pm, with further events daily at the church throughout the week.
Saturday, July 23
Haverfordwest Business Circle hosts a ‘Taste of Pembrokeshire’ food market on Castle square between 10am and 3pm, with Deb’s Peace Treaties, Gethin’s Cyder, Upton Farm, Pembrokeshire Crisps and the Welsh Bakery among the many stallholders.
Kids can enjoy a quacking time at the Riverside from 10am, at the Haverfordwest Lions annual duck race, and family film Song of the Sea will entertain at the Castle at 7pm, thanks to the town’s film society.
Noon (12pm) sees skaters, boarders and bikers show off their skills at Picton playing fields for this year’s Skatepark Jam.
Until 6pm, you can watch local riders ramp up the action alongside pro-riders, with a special visit from the Moonshine skate team.
From 9pm, legendary DJ and ‘Welsh wizard’ High Contrast - who has worked with electronic icons such as Tiesto and Underworld - visits Eddie Rocks nightclub, with support from 1991, Foggie, Late knight, Ketchum and Jake. Get booking those taxis now, as this will be a late one – doors close at 5am.
Sunday, July 24
Artshed workshops will take place from noon (12pm) at Riverside Shopping thanks to community art group Confluence, while daredevils can scale new height at a climbing wall event at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre from 10am.
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