Newark is pulling out all the stops for local families this “staycation summer” as it’s set to be overtaken by fun with a town-centre Family Play Day this Sunday (August 15th, 2021).

Organised by Newark Creates, there are events taking place from 10am to 3pm at Newark Castle and Newark Market Place.

Newark Creates is a brand new initiative led by Newark Cultural Consortium, delivering a programme of activity across the town as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme and this Family Play Day is the first in a planned series of activities to include pop up dance events, a twilight festival and a Fun Palace in October.

Sunday’s fun will include a historical knockout held by the National Civil War Centre where visitors will be able to build a castle out of giant blocks, joust on hobby horses, knock the head off King Charles I and shoot tennis balls from a cannon.  Newark Book Festival will be helping to host a fantastic mini market with other organisations throughout the day where families can browse the stalls, visit a pop up museum, have their faces painted and take part in some fun mini beast crafts. Children’s authors Troy Jenkinson and Sianna Stodd will be there too, helping children to create some amazing posters.  Peaceful Possums will be running family adventure yoga sessions at the castle and Bonkers The Clown will be buzzing around the Market Place stilt walking, balloon modelling, unicycling and juggling.

Carol Newman, Director of Culture at Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in the Consortium, said: “We’re so excited to kick-start our extremely exciting programme of activity over the next three years with this fantastic summer event. It will be wonderful to see Newark’s streets bustling with colour and fun and offering a brilliant way for families to stay entertained close to home this year.”

For more information about the event and to keep up to date with Newark Creates’ upcoming activities follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newarkcreatesuk.

The team are also looking for people to volunteer their skills to share at their October Fun Palace event. If you think you have something to offer, get in touch with Donna Hall at donna.hall@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk