The Month Ahead – August 2017

Welcome to August's The Month Ahead. We're well into the summer season in the UK. There's plenty happening around the country for everybody and don't forget there's the last Bank Holiday until Christmas. Let's have a look at some of the traditional feasts and festivals, events and exhibitions that are happening around the UK this month.

5^th-6^th August - Arbroath Sea Fest. The star of the show is the local Arbroath Smokie but Sea Fest celebrates all things maritime around the town.

9^th-10^th August - British Fireworks Championships, Plymouth. Let your summer evenings go with a bang with the British Fireworks Championships. Teams compete over two nights to set fireworks off with the backdrop of Plymouth Sound.

10^th-13^th August - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Free event with four days of Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons. Watch over 130 balloons take to the air from the Ashton Court Estate.

11^th-18^th August - Broadstairs Folk Week, Kent. Over 500 events during the week with many of them free. Music, song and dance in venues across the town.

12^th-13^th August - Portsmouth Interntional Kite Festival. Southsea Common sees the 27^th annual kite festival. This year's theme is 'The Seven Continents' with demonstrations and displays throughout the weekend.

14^th August - Littlehampton Sandcastle Competiton, West Sussex. Head to the coast with your bucket and spade. Various children's categories with prizes. No need to pre-register just turn up on the day for free entry.

26^th-28^th August - Great British Food Festival, Bowood House, Calne, Wiltshire. The penultimate event in the Great British Food Festival calendar for this year. Enter the 'Cake Off', watch a chef's demo and buy something tasty at the artisan food market.

27^th August – Peak District Highland Games, Matlock Park Farm. The first Peak District Highland Games sees traditional events such as the caber toss and stone carry.

27^th-28^th August - Festival of Transport, Blenheim Palace. A must for all petrol heads with displays of classic cars, motorbikes plus kit and sports cars.

27^th-29^th August - The Auld Lammas Fair and Fireworks Display, Ballycastle, County Antrim. The oldest fair in Ireland dating back to the 17^th century sees a spectacular fireworks display this year to kick off the event. Look out for local specialities such as the local sweet honeycomb candy 'Yellow Man' and the edible red seaweed known as 'Dulse'.

All events are subject to change. Please check with the organisers before travelling.

If you are interested about advertising your event on The Month Ahead please contact me at jibberjabberuk@gmail.com.