THOUSANDS of visitors enjoyed a host of attractions when Droitwich Spa held its annual St Richard’s Festival.

Live music, canal boats, classic cars, street entertainers and market stalls were all on offer during the four-day extravaganza.

The event, which ran from Friday, May 3 to Monday, May 6, was held alongside the Spa’s ever popular Classic and Vintage Car Rally. This year’s event was also joined by a boating festival to offer a greater range of attractions for all ages.

The event kicked off at 7pm on Friday with live music and a real ale bar in Vines Park. Canal boats were on display for the duration of the weekend along with a mediaeval encampment, community and craft stalls, and boat trips on the Pamela May.

The Plantagenet Medieval Society put on a display in Vines Park featuring squire training, musicians, dancing and armour demonstrations on Saturday, May 4. Other attractions included ferret racing, the mayor’s flotilla of historic boats and a duck race.

Droitwich Spa Mayor, Councillor Anne Taft, also unveiled a new mural at Netherwich Basin depicting Captain Kidd’s last adventure.

Over 100 classic and vintage cars were parked up across the town centre where visitors could view a wide selection of vehicles through the ages.

Visitors to St Andrew’s Square Shopping Centre were able to enjoy art activities, stilt walkers, giant bubbles and puppet shows.

On Sunday, May 5, a cycle festival was held in Vines Park and families were encouraged to take their bikes for a fun quiz cycle ride along the canals.

There was also plenty of activities to entertain children in the Vines Park on Monday, May 6. In the morning, Droitwich Arts Network ran an art competition along with puppets and storytelling.

Janet Yates, Droitwich Spa Area Partnership Manager, said: “The festival was really great. We got very lucky with the weather and the town was buzzing on the Saturday.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback and adding the boat festival really helped boost the event.”