A FLAVOUR of the east took over Warwick at the annual Thai Festival.
Those attending enjoyed a packed programme of entertainment which started at noon with Buddhist monks performing a traditional welcome. Then Warwick Rotary president John Hibben and mayor Stephen Cross opened the festival explaining how the Rotary Club 13 years ago started it to raise funds for Thai orphans following the Tsunami in Thailand.
There was everything from traditional music and dance to Thai kick boxing from local gym Muay Thai, while festival-goers got to savour
Thai food and beer, from sponsors Chang.
The move to the racecourse from the town centre had been controversial, but when a brief rainstorm came people were able to shelter in the stands, use the bars, and carry on enjoying the atmosphere. Organiser Alan Bailey explained the club has to finance the costs of the stage and programme’s entertainers, charging an entry fee last year had allowed the event to raise £4,000 for charitable causes.
Organisers were slightly disappointed at the low attendance, which they put down to a number of other local events, and the likes of Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix.
This year’s festival was sponsored by Warwick Castle, Kia cars, Costco, Tourist Authority of Thailand, and Chang Beer. Warwick Racecourse organised ticketing and opened its bars and facilities, with staff assisting organisers throughout the day, with CJ Events providing the stalls.
27th Jul, 2024
