Ancient traditions will meet modern merrymaking at a new festival coming to North Walsham. 

Called the Rite of Spring, the festival will include a May Day parade, live music including Will Fergusson playing in the church, crafting workshops and more. 

The event will run from Friday, April 28 to Monday, May 8, and is being funded by the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) cultural programme, as well as the town’s Community Shop and Community Engagement Fund. 

North Norfolk News: The team behind the Rite of Spring festival, from left, Paula Crossley, Lourens Bower, Jasper Milton, Rebecca Lysaght, Sheeren Jackson and Richard CrossleyThe team behind the Rite of Spring festival, from left, Paula Crossley, Lourens Bower, Jasper Milton, Rebecca Lysaght, Sheeren Jackson and Richard Crossley (Image: Supplied)

Rebecca Lysaght, co-owner of the Shambles Bar Bistro in Market Street, had the idea for the event and is part of the organising team.

Mrs Lysaght said: “May Day is a traditional festival marking the start of summer. 

“It has been celebrated for centuries with feasting, dancing and performing ancient rituals to bless the earth and ensure a good harvest. 

North Norfolk News: Murray Lachlan Young is ready for the Rite of Spring festival in North WalshamMurray Lachlan Young is ready for the Rite of Spring festival in North Walsham (Image: Supplied)

“May queens and green men were crowned and a jolly good time was had by all. 

“The festival wishes to re-establish some of those ancient traditions.”

Mrs Lysaght said the £4m town centre HAZ regeneration was now finished and “we wish to declare North Walsham town open for business and pleasure".

The parade will take place just after the North Walsham Children’s Day event finishes in the parish churchyard at around 4pm. 

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After the parade there will be a blessing of the town by a vicar to mark “a new beginning for North Walsham”.

Performers putting on shows throughout the week will include stand-up poet Murray Lachlan Young and the bands Meltones, Brother Pit and Ambassadors of Rock.

There will be a 50th-anniversary screening of the film The Wicker Man on May 3 at 7.30pm at the Atrium Cinema.

Mrs Lysaght said there would also be crafting workshops to make May crowns, garlands and May Day masks for the parade and after school storytelling performances to name but a few.

She added: "There’s something for everyone.”