THE village of Tilston is readying itself for a bank holiday bonanza of fantastic fun, food and fancy dress – but most importantly fundraising.
All the proceeds from this year’s Tilston Wakes event will go towards the intended purchase of the village’s playing fields from a private landowner.
It is understood that around £36,000 is needed for the Tilston Playing Fields Association to buy the site from former village resident Peter Egerton-Warburton.
Organisers of this year’s event – which attracts more than 4,000 people annually – are hoping for another large turnout and of course some kind weather to supplement an impressive programme of events.
The two-day show, starting on Sunday at 1pm and finishing on Monday evening, will begin with the unveiling of this year’s Lord Mayor of Tilston – the identity of whom is still top secret.
Granddaughter of Tilston FC stalwart Tom Weaver, Amy Williams, will be crowned Miss Wakes 2008 and alongside the new Lord Mayor will judge the fancy dress contest.
Also on show on Sunday will the donkey derby and terrier racing along with the lighting of the traditional annual ox roast which will be cooked through the night.
Monday events include a clay-pigeon shooting competition, the Cheshire Dog Display Team, Cowboy Joe the children’s entertainer, the Hogwallop Hillybilly Country Band, Terry Large the falconer, the Whitchurch Brass Band, Tilston Motor Show, Wynnstay Hounds, children’s sports and a craft tent.
There will also be a WI tea tent, a beer tent and a fun fair all weekend.
An aerial photograph, dubbed ‘The Big Picture’ will be taken of everyone attending the Wakes 2008, and can be bought as a souvenir.
