Celebrate summer solstice at Bishop’s Stortford Carnival Parade and Fun Day on Saturday June 21

Bishop’s Stortford will celebrate the summer solstice on Saturday (June 21) with a carnival parade through the town centre followed by a fun day in Castle Park – and the weather will be a stark contrast to the torrential rain that drenched last year’s procession.

The mayor, Cllr Richard Townsend, said the event on the longest day of the year – and, with temperatures forecast to hit 33C (91.4F), most likely the hottest day of 2025 so far – would be a “true celebration of everything that makes the town so special”.

He said: “My thanks go to Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, the volunteers and [main sponsor] the Bishop’s Stortford BID for their support this year.”

He told residents: “I hope you have a safe, joyful and truly memorable day as we celebrate the heart and soul of our town together.”

The parade departs from South Mill Arts at 11.15am and processes along South Street, Potter Street, Market Square, North Street and Northgate End, finishing on Link Road at approximately 12.20pm.

Road closures will be in place as the participants – community groups, charities, performing arts groups, emergency services and businesses – make their way through the town centre. Taking part are:

• Bishop’s Stortford fire and rescue crews, the town’s police, the mayor, KBD Dance, Bishop’s Stortford Army Cadets, Royal British Legion, Animal Rescue Charity (ARC), Graham School of Dance, Stort Pride, The Little Arts Workshop;

• Tracey Walker School of Dance, St Michael’s C of E Primary School, Stortford Cheerleaders, Holy Trinity Night Shelter and Community Outreach, UK Wong Kwok Cheung Dragon and Lion Dance Team;

• Silver Leys Scout Group, Hip Hop Pop, British Red Cross, Grove Cottage, Apton Dance Studio, Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank, Hoodoo Radio, South Mill Arts, Blues Pre-school and Nursery, Bishop’s Stortford Musical Theatre Company;

• St Elizabeth’s Centre, Jenny Myhill School of Dance, New Apton Centre, Rock Choir, Slimming World with Sara, Churches Together and TUBS (Tidy Up Bishop’s Stortford).

The parade will be completed by classic cars driven by former mayor George Cutting, John Prior and Jassen Sathan.

From noon, there will be a host of entertainment on Sworder’s Field as the action moves to Castle Park.

In the main arena, KBD Dance will entertain from 12.45pm, Graham School of Dance and Theatre Arts from 1.15pm and Apton Dance Studio at 1.45pm. From 2.15pm, there will be music from the Rock Choir. At 3.15pm, Tracey Walker School of Dance will be centre stage and the entertainment will conclude with PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy) Bishop’s Stortford.

In the bandstand, there will be performances by musician Martin Day, Bishop’s Stortford Ukulele Society (BSUS), Woodwind of Stortford, Grove Cottage Performing Arts Club, Buskerteers Choir and 21-year-old singer-songwriter Tabitha Lily.

Sworder’s Field will be filled with more than 100 stalls, a licensed bar and vendors selling food from around the world.

On the River Stort, the Carnival Cruise will feature a special array of decorated working and pleasure boats, moored between the register office at Hockerill Street and Station Road. The mayor will award a prize to the skipper and crew of the “Best Decorated Boat” and a runner-up.