The return of The Courtyard’s Family Festival was a success!

10th November 2021

This October saw the return of The Courtyard’s Family Festival

On Wednesday 27 October The Courtyard saw the return of its annual Family Festival Fun Day. This year’s theme was Movie Magic. The building was decorated with bunting and balloons, and visitors were encouraged to dress up as their favourite movie characters. We are thrilled that the building was full of happy, smiling families from beginning to end. Here is a run down of how the day went.

Family Festival: A little girl dressed in a princess costume smiling at the camera

Family Festival Fun Day Performances

We had a variety of fantastic performances shown throughout the day. Orchestra of the Swan, The Courtyard’s resident orchestra, played a live medley of well-known film music, in fancy dress! Tigerlilly Quinn, a popular influencer, described the concert as the ‘highlight of the day.‘ She said: ‘It felt so moving watching live music and especially a live orchestra.‘ In addition, other performances throughout the day included; Bee-ology, an outdoor circus show with an important environmental message, a Movie Mash Up by The Starlight Company, a dance performance to all your movie musical favourites, and Hereford College of Arts students performed Magic & Mischief, a Roald Dahl themed show. Similarly, the Courtyard Youth Theatre performed two pieces: Coming To Cinemas and Family Film Favourites. There was also a Movie Makeup demonstration, and film screenings, including Onward and Even Mice Belong in Heaven.

Orchestra of the Swan - an orchestra and conductor stood on stage facing the audience and holding their instruments while in fancy dress

Orchestra of the Swan Family Concert

Magic & Mischief - four people onstage dressed in fancy dress in front of an audience — Hereford College of Arts – Magic & Mischief

Family Festival: Bee-ology - a woman outside making bubbles in front of a group pf children laughing and dancing — Bee-ology

Family Festival Fun Day Events

Alongside the performances, visitors had plenty of events to get involved with, both bookable and drop in. Our personal favourite was the family rave. A Lego Movie workshop, a Green Screen workshop, Tai Chi sessions, Superhero Stage Combat sessions, and Movie Movement sessions also enticed visitors.

Family Festival: Family Rave - a photo of children and adults dancing in neon pink light withy bubbles — Family Rave

A little girl playing with lego — Lego Movie Workshop

A girl stood in fron of sa green screen in a Harry Potter costume being fanned by another girl — Green Screen Workshop

Families also attended a number of drop in sessions. These included face painting, a meet and greet with Rapunzel and Belle from Enchanted Kingdom, biscuit decorating, Poetree and Word Birds with Ledbury Poetry Festival, and a sensory room, so there was plenty to choose from.

Two young girls in fancy dress stood in front of a table decorating biscuits with icing — Biscuit Decorating

A little girl sat in a chair with her face painted as a unicorn next to a lady wearing a visor and mask — Face painting with Looby Lou

Two little girls posing for a photo with two women dressed as princesses in front of an Enchanted Kingdom sign — Meet and Greet with Enchanted Kingdom’s Belle and Rapunzel

We are thrilled that all performances and events throughout the day were almost full to capacity. Some booked up well in advance because they were so popular! It is always so wonderful to see our venue full of families enjoying the best of the arts in Herefordshire. We cannot wait for next year’s Family Festival as a result of such a fantastic day!