THE ANNUAL Salt Fest held in Droitwich over the weekend has been hailed a great success despite the ‘soggy start’ on Saturday.
Thousands of visitors went along for the 11th event which celebrates the Spa’s salt history and featured a variety of activities for all ages.
There was the chance to learn about the town’s association with salt through displays and demonstrations, Roman re-enactors set up camp in Vines Park, there were barge trips along the canal on the Pamela May and there were stalls from a host of charities and organisations.
Other highlights included live music and entertainment, children’s rides and, on the Sunday when the sun came out, a fun dog show. That was run by vets MacArthur, Barstow and Gibbs to raise funds for Danemere Animal Rescue and Bishops Wood Swan Rescue.
The Space Zone, supported by the British Interplanetary Society, the Institute of Physics and a host of other local science and engineering groups, was particularly popular with visitors getting to fire rocket motors, demonstrate telescopes and examine the power of potatoes.
The event kicked off with a parade, led by the Droitwich Air Cadets Band. Also in the procession was a cohort of Roman soldiers diligently guarding Coun Frances Smith, Chairman of Wychavon District Council and Droitwich Spa Mayor Coun Roy Murphy who officially opened the festival.
Liz Etheridge, Wychavon’s Salt Fest event organiser, said it was fantastic to see so many people turn out and, as it was her first time organising it, a great relief it went so well.
“So much hard work goes into the event and a big thank you to everyone who got involved in making it a success, not just over the weekend, but in all the planning for an event of this size.
“Despite the rain people still came down and the sunny Sunday really helped boost numbers.”
Phil Merrick, Wychavon’s joint head of economy and communities, said “Salt Fest was a huge success despite the soggy weather.”
