Thousands Enjoy Arts Fresco In Market Harborough

Thousands of people descended on Market Harborough as Arts Fresco returned to the town centre yesterday.

The free street arts festival saw 20 wacky acts take to the streets to entertain the crowds, as the event returned for the first time since 2019.

These people told HFM how much they enjoyed it:

Arts Fresco celebrated its 20th year with a diverse mix of acts from some of Britain’s leading festival and street theatre companies including brass bands, street art, stiltwalkers, beatboxers, racing grannies, strong ladies, hedge people, bubble fairies and more.

It was reorganised after being postponed last month, following the Queen’s death.

Highlights included Larkin About’s ‘Granny Turismo’, Mark Mark Productions ‘Maniax’ high level escapology, Swank’s magnificent ‘Make Up’ artists, Jon Hicks’ mind boggling art show ‘Icons’, and the New Orleans brassy sound of Arts Fresco favourite, ‘King Brasstards’.

Neil Kitson, chair of the voluntary organising committee spoke to HFM’s Nick Shaw during the day:

In addition to the acts who performed along the town’s streets from 11am until 4pm, there was also a children’s village in the Memorial Gardens, food and drink stalls, and an autumn market on the square.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council spoke to HFM:

The sponsors of Arts Fresco include Market Harborough Building Society, Arts Council England, Market Harborough Bowdens Charity, The Howard Watson Symington Memorial Charity, Neil Kitson and Duncan Murray Wines.