Suffolk Day 2019 Big Weekender Events
Suffolk Day 2019 is just around the corner! Suffolk Day is an annual celebration of everything great about our county. The event takes place on Summer Solstice, Friday 21st June, so the organisers have decided to make a Big Weekender out of it!
Events will take place across the county throughout the weekend. It’s a perfect way to celebrate great attractions, landscapes, icons and institutions.
In a countywide party, there is an event for everyone, no matter your interests. From wine tasting to a hedgehog fun day, you’ll find an event to enjoy during the Big Weekender.
Here are a few of the events taking place…
First Light Festival
First Light Festival is a brand-new 24-hour arts festival on Lowestoft Beach that is free to attend. It runs across the summer solstice weekend. Midday Saturday 22nd June to midday on Sunday the 23rd. You can experience music, talks, workshops, and walks whilst enjoying local food, drink and produce.
Events at the Sorrel Horse
On Friday 21st June, the Sorrel Horse in Shottisham will be kicking off the Suffolk Day weekend with a Meet the Brewery event with Oakham Ales. It is a chance to try out some of their brilliant ales with pizza and nibbles! There is also a Suffolk style dinner at 7 pm in the restaurant and at 9 pm there is live solo music from Janine Norris.
Meet the Owners at Kentwell Hall
This is the perfect event for any history fans out there. On Friday 21st June, there is a chance for you to meet Judith and Patrick Phillips, the owners of Kentwell Hall. They have spent over 40 years working on the venue so this is an amazing opportunity to meet them and ask questions about Kentwell Hall. You will be able to explore the house and gardens and then have afternoon tea while taking part in a Q&A.
Giffords Hall Vineyard
For any wine lovers out there, this event is for you! On Saturday 22nd June, Giffords Hall Vineyard will be offering a wine tour. This includes a guided tour of the vineyard, learning about the varieties of grapes that are grown and what kind of wines they produce. Then join in with a presentation and tasting of three wines and three liqueurs.
Madness at Newmarket Nights
One of Britain’s much-loved bands will be performing on Friday 21st June at Newmarket Racecourses. Madness have become so iconic, combining different genres of music from ska to Motown to rock’n’roll. Join them to hear the classics such as ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Our House’ and their Number 1 from 1982, ‘House of Fun’.
Ipswich Jazz Festival
The fourth Ipswich Jazz festival is coming to you, 100 years since the first tour of the UK by a jazz band. This festival runs all weekend starting on the 21st June. This festival includes gigs from not only local jazz bands but also some national and international performers. There is also a chance to learn more about jazz in a lecture, a jazz-themed film, a course for young people and an art show! Perfect jazz fun for all ages.
Suffolk Pride
This event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in Suffolk. On 22nd June there will be a parade from midday, along the Ipswich Waterfront starting at DanceEast and making its way down to Cult Café. Mixed together with live music and entertainment and a range of food and drink stalls, this event is the perfect way to celebrate Pride. There will also be selected businesses, support and service that help the LGBTQ+ community.
Creative Writing at Christchurch Park
Held at the beautiful Christchurch Mansion on 21st June at 1pm to 3pm, this free creative writing session will help you to develop your expressive skills in writing by using visual art and then writing poetry/prose in response to the visual aid. This is more of an active session, not just a talk. Get stuck in and create some beautiful writing about the art that surrounds you. This course is perfect for people wanting to get into writing but are not sure where to start or just an opportunity to brush up on your skills.
Hedgehog fun day
On Saturday 22nd June join in the fun on the Hedgehog Fun day at St Margaret’s Church Centre, Ipswich, and learn more about the cute prickly friends. This includes a day of workshops, talks and the chance to interact with the Suffolk Prickles team on how to help hedgehogs in your garden and what to do if you think there is something wrong with them. Tea and cake will be available and there is a chance to buy some unique hedgehog related items!
Orford Celebrations
This fun village fete is the perfect way to come together and celebrate Suffolk Day with live music, fun and games, arts and craft stalls, business stalls, pony and trap rides; it’s fun for all the family! This amazing event will take place on Friday 21st June at Font Street, Orford from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Scarecrow Event
Go down to Holywells Park Orchard and join in on making your own scarecrow! This event is run by the Friends of Holywells Park, young and old are all welcome. There will be homemade cakes/refreshments as well as crafts and face-painting. This takes place on 22nd June, 1.30pm to 4pm.
Find out about all the events taking place during the Suffolk Day 2019 Big Weekender on the Suffolk Day website.
About the author: Chloe Lamb is a Fashion Communication & Promotion student and writer who focuses on fashion, lifestyle, books and mental health awareness. If she’s not writing for her blog https://clfashionn.blogspot.com then you can find her with her nose in a book!
