Snap Dragon festival returns next week

The festival takes place from Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 August from 11am to 3pm each day and is free to attend with no booking necessary. Each day of the festival features a different theme with Wednesday celebrating National Play Day, Thursday Super Sports Day and Friday Magical Fun Day.

Everyone can enjoy a traditional day at the seaside each day in the giant sand pit sponsored by Hinckley BID. There’s a chance to meet Snappy, the Festival’s dragon mascot, have your photo taken on our giant deckchair, build a sandcastle or just relax on our deckchairs or picnic tables. The themed events for each day are as follows:

Wednesday 4 August is National Play Day. Youngsters are invited to bring a swimsuit and splash on the hugely popular giant water slide and bring along a teddy to take part in the pretend teddy bear’s picnic.  Anyone feeling more energetic can ride on a donkey (just £1 a ride, cash only please) groove in the Snappy disco or dress up and pretend to be whatever they like in our role play village. Everyone can laugh along to the free Punch and Judy show or have a go at making friendship bracelets or messy play in our craft station, which is being looked after by Churches Together, paint and hide a stone with #islastones or have their faces painted by our free roaming face painter. Youngsters can challenge their friends to a game of giant jenga or a hulahoop competition in our games garden. Or the whole family can try something new by learning juggling or plate spinning in our free circus workshops plus lots more.

Thursday 5 August is Super Sports Day. Families can have a go at a new sport such as beach volleyball, rugby, cricket or tennis, try some yoga with Barefoot yoga or take part in an accessible sports workshop and try boccia. There’s a chance to create an obstacle course on our running track or have a go on our climbing wall (just £1 a go, cash only please). Cyclists can try cycling their way to a great smoothie on our smoothie bike or challenge friends to a game of giant connect 4 or tic tac toe in our games garden or enjoy the mascot race. There will be a dance performance from Shelby Academy of Dance and youngsters can let their imagination run free by painting flags, Olympic torches or try sponge boats and water play in our craft station, which is being looked after by Churches Together, or have their face painted by our free roaming face painter plus lots more.

Friday 6 August is Magical Fun Day. Youngsters can discover our whimsical woods with toadstool tents, talking flowers and tuff tray play. They can have a go at creating a wand to cast a spell or try making some giant bubbles. There’s a chance to ride on a magical unicorn pony (just £1 per go, cash only please) and try our wonderland boccia or drama tots workshops which are accessible for all. Meet some real life superheroes from Hinckley’s Fire station crew who will be bringing along a fire engine (unless they have an emergency call out). Have fun on our magical giant slide (cost £1 for five slides, cash only please) or kids can challenge friends to a game in our games garden, or hop around our running track on the back of a bunny or dragon. Anyone feeling creative can try an art activity with the suitcase library or make a sand rocket, superhero wristband or bookmark in our craft station, which is run by Churches together, or paint and hide a stone with #islastones plus lots more.

Executive Member for Culture at the Borough Council Councillor Keith Nichols said:

After the disappointment of having to cancel last year’s event along with so many other events last summer, it’s great to see the Snapdragon Children and Families’ Festival back again this year with so much to do for youngsters and their parents.  It’s been a challenging year for everyone and particularly children who haven’t been able to go to school, get out and about and play with their friends as often as usual so we hope this event offers everyone some creative opportunities to play and enjoy the fun of the seaside right here in Hinckley town centre.  My thanks to the Events Team who have worked hard to make this event happen this year and we’d ask everyone to look after themselves and each other by following the safety guidelines but especially, to have fun with their family and friends.