A festival celebrating one of Kent’s most famous crops will transform the town into a feast of ale and music.
The 36th annual Faversham Hop Festival returns this weekend.
Thousands of visitors and residents are expected to attend the two-day event with five stages welcoming some 70 performers, contributing 80 hours of live music.
A host of busker spots and fringe venues at pubs and venues around the town will add to the eclectic mix of entertainment.
Hops have shaped Faversham since at least 900AD, as revealed by historic finds such as remains in the Graveney Boat, recovered from marshland in 1970.
From those ancient roots, the Hop Festival was born, originating from a blend of nostalgia and entertainment that has steadily grown into a major community celebration.
As well as the music, the festival will give visitors the chance to sample beers from around Kent, along with a wider food and drink offering.
The festival spans the town centre from Preston Street, West Street, East Street and the Central Car Park, where a fun fair will also provide family entertainment.
A camping village and parking at The Abbey School in London Road is on hand to help visitors soak up the atmosphere.
Entertainment such as Morris dancing and other styles will be on display along with a fairground, magic shows, juggling, balloon twisting and more.
Music will kick off from 10am on Saturday, with family-friendly events running throughout both days.
The main stages will be in Market Place near the town hall and the Brewery Stage near the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre.
The company is one of the event’s main sponsors and will be showcasing its own beers, including the seasonal favourite Late Red and this year’s limited-edition green hop ale, Hop Pocket.
Bands and singers will be on stage until approximately 5pm on both days, with further gigs taking place at pubs across the town, including The Bear Inn, The Bull, The Railway and Albion Taverna throughout the evening.
The schedule for Sunday follows a similar pattern with dancing, parades, and the cherished Hop Blessing forming highlights of the day at 10.45am on the Brewery Stage.
Entry is free to all events with donations welcome to be given to festival volunteers throughout the weekend to help fund the costs of the festival, which is about £100,000.
For more details and timings, festival programmes are available at venues and shops around Faversham, priced £2 including special offer vouchers for discounts, or visit www.favershamhopfestival.org
