Host of events for Telford at 50

A host of hot air balloons are also set to fly over the town.

Telford & Wrekin Council is holding, or helping with, a number parties, festivals, carnivals, events and other festive activities that people can join in.

It is all to mark Telford's 50th anniversary.

Popular annual events will be back and bigger and better than ever, with a number of special anniversary events also in the works.

Next year’s Spring into the Park will celebrate St Georges Day on April 22 in Telford Town Park’s Queen Elizabeth II Arena.

There will be spectacles in the arena, food and fun but also some elements from old town events, such as Super Saturday, that many people said they would like to see return for next year’s town celebration.

More details on this will be released soon.

The Friends of the Town Park are inviting people to celebrate Telford’s half century with a special event sponsored by Telford-based Japanese company, Maxell.

The Sakura Festival takes place in Telford Town Park’s Maxell Gardens on April 21 and a taste of Japan will be recreated with live Japanese music, Taiko Drummers, Japanese street food and more.

The evening gardens spectacle will be a ticketed event and guests are advised to book early.

Next year also sees Oakengates Theatre @ the Place’s reach 50.

To celebrate this, the theatre will hold a newly commissioned Telford-themed pantomime from March 25 to April 5.

Especially written for Telford @50, Pantomania, will pay homage to the people and places of Telford in a fun packed traditional family show with all the expected characters, comedy gags, audience participation and frivolity.

The annual Kite Festival will turn into a Kite and Flight Festival on May 12 and 13.

It will feature even more aerial displays with stunt kites, large scale kites and, for the first time in many years, will bring a host of hot air balloons to fly over Telford.

The annual Carnival of Giants on July 15 becomes a Carnival of Telford Giants, to mark the anniversary with a carnival celebrating Telford’s people and places, heritage and bright future.

Communities are now being invited to take part and create costumes, music and dances for the procession.

Council leader Shaun Davies said: “We are looking forward to a fantastic landmark year with lots of memorable events for our residents and visitors to take part in.

“We want to celebrate Telford as an ever developing town, a great place to live and work in or to visit.

"Our events will also help to show what Telford stands for today and the exciting future ahead.”

There is more to come and the programme of events will continue to be updated on the dedicated Telford 50 website.