Relaunched Northampton Town Festival '˜will bring back balloons to Racecourse and restore glory of Old Town Show'

Show Time Events Ltd says the festival will revive the “best of the Old Town Show in all of its glory, while bringing back the much-loved balloons to the Racecourse in Northampton”.

The festival will be held over the weekend of July 2 and 3.

A spokesman for the company said: “The Northampton community come from all industries and walks of life, but we have one thing in common… we are the heart of Northampton.

“The Northampton Town Festival is an event created for the local community and beyond, with the intention of bringing people together and celebrating all that makes our town great.

“Whether you are one of our local residents & families, a hard working local trader, a member of a local community group, part of our thriving entertainment scene or live outside of Northampton and are looking to attend an awesome event that exhibits real community spirit… this event is not to be missed,” he said.

The Old Town Show started in 1909. It shortly became one of the highlights of the town’s year. It took place every year since then, with the exceptions of the war years up until 2002 when the council merged the show with the balloon festival. The balloon festival was also a highlight on the Racecourse until 2008.

“Whilst there are many other great events on the Racecourse, it was felt by Show Time Events, that there was something missing,” the spokesman added.

“We are determined to bring the community together and revive the best of the Old Town Show in all of its glory, whilst bringing back the much loved Balloons to the Racecourse. These two events shape our towns history with many of us sharing fond, colourful memories of the days gone by. Now the next generation can benefit from these wonderful memories too,” he said.

The festival will include traders, community groups, hot air balloons, giant funfair, martial arts displays, dog show, live music and entertainment, fireworks display, Knights of Nottingham, stunt monkey, camel facing, food stalls and bars, reptile show, Harley Davidson Club, The Territorial Army and more.

The event is free to attend and will take place across two large arenas on the Racecourse.

The event is supported by Northampton Borough Council and sponsored by NS-UK Group, Evans Funfairs, Phipps NBC, Big J’s Funfair Attractions, Inspiration FM, DP Marketing Communications and Your Print.