A jam-packed season of events is set to kick off this weekend as Newark bursts with exciting activities.
On Saturday a range of free events and experiences will be taking place across the town, all part of attempts to make the town centre a more attractive place to visit.
Among the events will be an 18-foot-long inflatable whale delivering an important message in the Market Place, a small business showcase and Race to the Castle paddleboard competition on the Trent.
“Newark is the place to be on Saturday — come and visit the town on what will be an exciting and buzzing atmosphere,” said Matthew Spoors, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet member for sustainable economic development.
“We are often criticised for not doing enough, but I can assure you, we really are, and if you compare Newark to other towns up and down the A1, I really believe we’re doing so much more.
“Residents want more events in our town centre and we’re working on making this spring and summer busier than ever.
“We know our town centre is a brilliant place and has lots of lovely independent retailers and we want to do all we can to bring as many people as possible into our town centre to support our local businesses.”
Newark Market Place play host to an unusual sight as an 18-foot-long inflatable whale washes up with an important message.
The Plastic Ocean Show is an interactive show highlighting the impact plastic has on the environment — although tickets have already sold out, curious folk are encouraged to come along, take photos and learn about the issue.
At the same time, from 10am to 3pm, the Small Business Showcase will shine a spotlight on independent businesses, creativity and entrepreneurship in the Buttermarket.
This event is part of Newark Town Board’s Newark Cultural Heart project and has put sustainability at its forefront too focusing on renewable resources during the event.
Visitors to Newark Castle on the day will be given the rare opportunity to climb to the top of the 900-year-old historic landmark to experience a unique view of the town and the River Trent.
The free event is ran by the Friends of Newark Castle and Garden, who will be on hand to offer a fascinating insight into the iconic building.
Meanwhile, at ground level the riverside wharf will host ‘The Race to the Castle’ paddleboard competition will offer a little bit of excitement.
The competition is the longest paddleboard race in the country, with competitors racing 40km downstream from Nottingham to Newark Castle.
Alongside the district council led events, a number of other events from other town organisations are set to take place this spring and summer.
This year the Steampunk Festival will once again take over the town centre with their creative costumes and welcoming atmosphere from May 24 to 27.
On the same weekend, from May 24 to 26, the CAMRA Newark Beer and Cider Festival with be filling the grounds of Newark Castle with good cheer and a range over over 100 real ales and ciders.
Newark Book Festival will fill the town with creativity from July 11 to 14 as the event aims to engage the community with all forms of literacy with stall holder, features writers and authors, open mics crafts and a Book Bench art trail.
Families will rejoice at the return of the Newark on Sea urban beach, which from August 9 to 19 will transform the Market Place with seaside fun and entertainment.
More events are set to be announced in the coming weeks and months, but the summer will round off with the spectacle of the Dragon Boat Race, which raises vital funds for Newark-based charities Beaumond House and the Children’s Bereavement Centre.
What events are you most lookin forward to this summer?
