Festival fever is set to fill Gnosall next summer in a nine-day village celebration.
The first Gnosall Festival will run from July 9-17 and discussions are already under way on what will feature in the extravaganza.
Mary Booth, chairman of the festival group and Gnosall Parish Council, said the event aimed to highlight the village’s assets, such as its talented young musicians and local groups.
"The church hosted an arts festival this year and there is the annual carnival, but I am surprised Gnosall hasn't done something like a festival week before,” she said.
Ideas put forward so far include a performance by Gnosall Players, a film night, a talk on Gnosall’s past, church tower open day, village walks, a beer festival and hog roast, a musical event, treasure hunt, traction engine display, dance demonstrations, football matches and open gardens.
Many events will be held at the Grosvenor Centre during the daytime and evenings.
The parish council is working alongside other community organisations including Friends of St Lawrence and St John Ambulance to plan the festival and anyone else with ideas is encouraged to share them by contacting the parish office.
Councillor Booth said: “Lots of other villages host festivals and this one will celebrate our local talent.
“Council vice-chairman Roger Greatrex has a small steam engine and has friends with traction engines, who have offered to show them on the second weekend.
“We also hope to ask people who run evening classes at the Grosvenor Centre, whether it is dancing or exercise, to open them up to the public. Another idea is a 5k fun run.
“We have been talking about it for more than a year but wanted it to be more than just a parish council event so we brought in outside groups. Bob Johnson, who put together the Old Gnosall DVD, is involved with the group, too.” Any other residents or groups from Gnosall, Moreton or Knightley who would like to submit ideas or get involved should contact the parish office on 01785 822685.
