Heritage site set for festival.
The free Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival, which is supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, will be taking place this year on Saturday, 21st September from 12noon until 5pm with heritage talks and walks, a fantastic high quality craft and food market, live street entertainment and family activities.
With the world famous Iron Bridge forming the backdrop, the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival will be a great celebration of the area’s designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a large street market running parallel with the river along the Wharfage and offering a range of top quality locally produced foods, gifts and merchandise. Local charities and community groups will be running stands with raffles and fun challenges, all helping to raise vital funds and showcasing their good work. In the Market Square there will be demonstrations and displays celebrating the remarkable heritage of the Gorge and street entertainment will keep the crowds amused throughout the day.
Younger visitors can take part in free, hands-on art activities in the Merrythought Village, where they can also enjoy a donkey ride for a small fee.
Throughout the day visitors can discover more about the history of the Gorge as there will be a variety of free walks and talks, which detail different aspects of the area’s rich industrial past and follow a specially designed trail around the town. Visitors to the event will also be able to explore the many riverside shops, pubs, cafés, antique shops, craft centres, restaurants and museums.
Festival goers should use the fast, free and frequent Ironbridge Park and Ride Service that operates from the top of Jiggers Bank (Sat Nav TF4 3QE) into the heart of the event. Station Road car park in Ironbridge will be available for accessible parking only and all other car parks will be for special permit holders.
Traci Dix-Williams, Event Manager commented: “The Festival is always a wonderful celebration of the Gorge’s special status as a World Heritage Site, alongside the Pyramids and Great Wall of China. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a great community celebration of the remarkable heritage of the Gorge.”
For information about the event visit www.visitironbridge.co.uk/worldheritage, call 01952 433424 or email tic@ironbridge.org.uk