Westonbirt’s signature summer event, Treefest, will run over the August Bank Holiday weekend with thousands of visitors expected.
The 20th anniversary of the festival, which attracts around 20,000 visitors each year, will display a host of new and exciting events.
Children can enjoy craft activities with the learning team and family fun with Love Food Festival, making woodland creatures, bird masks and much more.
A new addition for this year will be den building, where children will get the chance to build their own dens in the trees.
Archery, tree climbing, zip wire and wood bench carving are activities all returning this year.
A special 20th birthday parade will take place on Bank Holiday Monday at 2.15pm, featuring tree flags, puppets and woodland crowns, all hand-made over the weekend.
Tractors, brass bands and a steam engine will lead the parade to commemorate the event’s history.
Love Food Festival will showcase treat from 30 local producers, offering a wide range of catering outlets such as strawberries and cream teas from The Strawberry Chariot and famous Winstone’s Ice Cream.
Over 120 exhibitors will display their wares over the 3 day weekend, including performances by the Welsh Axemen giving chainsaw demonstrations. Live music will delight the crowds across the weekend concluding with the headline act Smith & Jones from The Voice UK, along with other acts such as M.O.D Folks and Louise Latham.
Simon Hough, the Forestry Commission’s recreation manager at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “Our 20th annual Treefest will be adding even more activities and displays for visitors to enjoy. It is the perfect opportunity for families to introduce their little ones to the natural world, and that’s why family entertainment plays a role in the festival.’’
Ticket prices are £15 for adults, £12 for concessions while children 18 and under go free. Members of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum receive a 50% discount on all tickets.
The full programme and further information is available from: www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-treefest.
