'Picnic in Park' family-friendly event in Knaresborough

feva highlight - Georgina Wallace (three) and her older brother Ben (six) meet Brian Wooley of The Sealed Knot Society. (1708122AM2)

The festival is building up to something of a climax with the brilliant Moly and the Crackers playing Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre tonight Friday, August 19. Even better, the following day sees feva’s most family-friendly moment.Tony Cerexhe said: “The traditional high point of feva is the Picnic in the Park this Saturday and we have the strongest line-up ever of bands, interspersed by the irrepressible DJ Trev. “The Conjurors are to perform their popular magic show at the Frazer in the evening; Henshaws have their annual Burlesque Bonanza and there will be music and events all around the town.” Sunday will also see feva organisers welcome their first-ever improv theatre group to feva. The largest improvised theatre group in the East Midlands, Miss Imp will engage with their audience in the afternoon at the Frazer, turning s audience suggestions into unique pieces of comedy theatre.Martin Harrison of the feva organising committee said: “It is a show created completely from scratch and is great fun suitable for children and adults.“We are expecting a fun-filled couple of hours which will nicely round off the end of the festival.”During the day, there is plenty for kids in the Market Place with Bob’s Your Uncle, a discount entry day at the Castle and a family quiz at Henshaws.But there is also more serious fayre on offer.Tony Cerexhe said:“One of the secrets of this year’s feva has been to put on a wider range of offerings. The art shows are all open over the weekend and the town will be full of festival-goers. “In the evening on Sundy at St John’s Church there will be a classical performance by the period music ensemble Arioso, playing traditional instruments.”This year’s feva has also seen the town’s independent cafes and restaurants step up to the plate with special events and offers as part of ‘Flavours of feva’.Festival chairman Tony Cerexhe said it was already the best feva so far.Tony said: “It has been our most successful festival so far. Apart from a few showers the weather has been gorgeous and this has brought in the crowds to the town, both during the day and in the evenings. “One of the secrets of this year’s feva has been to put on a wider range of offerings.The art shows are all open over the weekend and the town will be full of festival-goers once more.” And feva committee member Lucy Barrow praised the event’s main supporters.She said: “Knaresborough Lions Club sponsors the event each year enabling us to book the entertainment, and we say a big thank you to the Lions for proving this event for the community.“FTAV provides the stage and we also get great help from the feva sponsor CNG.”Please note, the Urban Beach at Henshaws Arts & Craft Centre runs an extra week after feva and has free entry each day before 4pm.