THE Worcester Festival team are gearing up ahead of this year’s Worcester Festival, which kicks off this Saturday, August 11, when city mayor, Cllr Jabba Riaz will declare the celebration officially open.

A spokesman said: “Back for its 16th year, Worcester Festival will run right through to the August Bank Holiday on Monday August 27, with events and activities happening all over the city every single day.

“Fans of the Festival will be delighted to hear that the Gugge 2000 band are back to launch this year’s Festival, following a hiatus last year. Having opened the Festival every year since2008, the vibrant ‘black-and-yellow’ or ‘bumblebee’ band has become synonymous with the opening Saturday, and their infectious, feel-good music has always gone down a storm.”

Other festival favourites will also be returning, including Festival mascot Percy the Peacock, the Funky Faces Face Painters, the Swan Theatre Summer Fête, and the annual St Richard’s Hospice Duck Race.

The spokesman added: “However, there is also plenty that is brand new for this year’s Festival, including a whole programme of events at the newly opened Henry Sandon Hall on the Royal Porcelain Works site. “From children’s craft workshops and fun puppetry and storytelling, to a one-off ‘Try The Horn’ day and a special Festival Ceilidh, there will be something to tempt everyone along to explore this exciting new arts venue.

“And, of course, the fabulous Worcester Stands Tall Giraffe Trail will be running throughout this year’s Festival, with families able to set off in search of the dozens of stunning giraffe sculptures dotted around the city.”

The Commandery will be hosting medieval inspired activities, and this year also sees the return of the Worcester Show at Gheluvelt Park, and the launch of the Swan Theatre Pantomime, Maid Marian and the Merry Men.

Visit worcesterfestival.co.uk or call the box office on 01905 611427 to find out more.