Free Fun and Sports For All

Stratford-on-Avon District Council in partnership with Warwickshire County Council is hosting the first Stratford-upon-Avon Community Games.

The Community Games will take place on Saturday 18 September 2010 at the Bandstand by the River Avon and will start with an opening ceremony style address at 11am followed by music, entertainment and traditional Sports Day Games and competitions.

The Community Games programme is inspired by the unique Olympic heritage of the West Midlands, the Wenlock Olympian Games.  These have been held annually in Shropshire since 1850 and were the inspiration behind the modern Olympic movement. The Games aim to bring the inspiration of London 2012 to the community through sport and culture.

The Community Games are supported by the Legacy Trust UK and part of the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012.

Entertainment will include music by 'Retro-Jaz', dance by Stratford's Mezzoforte Dance club and the Bastet Belly Dancers and a skipping display by the Studley Blue and White Rope Skippers. There will be a traditional puppet show, face painting, circus skills activities along with a free climbing wall for everyone.

In the 'Sport Zone' there will be a rowing competition and athletics agility challenge as well as a family 'have a go' traditional sports day competition including egg & spoon, 3-legged and sack races culminating in a tug of war.

Cllr Mike Brain, Community Services Portfolio at Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "The Community Games offer a unique opportunity for people to get involved in a community event.  You don't need to be sporty as these games are just as much about celebrating cultural achievements as sporting endeavours and offers a chance to show what makes Stratford District so special."

The Community Games is a free event and offers something for everyone - come along and join in. 

The close of the Games at 2pm will be marked by a mass balloon launch.