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Princes Risborough Annual Town Festival was established in 1996
by a small group of local people under the guidance of the Town
Council. Its aim as stated in its constitution, is to promote and
enhance the profile of Princes Risborough, its clubs, businesses,
associations and inhabitants, and to bring a week of entertainment
and general enjoyment to all who wish to participate. Initially,
the Festival attracted some 20 events culminating in a Street Fayre
on its final day and this format remains much the same today. Even
though the Festival has become much bigger, it still remains ‘local’
in feel and in benefit. It is traditionally held during the first
full week of July.
Over the ensuing years, general interest in the Festival has risen
and it now caters for around 80 events with the week stretching
to eight days. The week begins on the first Saturday with a Street
Parade, Fancy Dress and Children’s Fun Day, held at the King
George V Recreation Ground where people turn out in large numbers
to give their support. The next day the 10km Road Race is held.
This usually  attracts
over 250 entrants - serious runners and fun runners - and has become
a permanent fixture in the Festival calendar. Throughout the week
that follows, a wide range of events are held from music (to suit
all tastes) and theatrical entertainment to local organisations’
recruitment evenings, factory tours and heritage and natural history
walks; all of them being extremely well attended. The Street Fayre
is held on the final Saturday afternoon and attracts thousands of
people. Continuous musical entertainment, numerous stalls and fairground
rides ensure a fun-filled afternoon for all. On the final Sunday
the popular children’s chocolate hunt is held in nearby countryside.
New events are always welcome.
From its outset the Festival has had to be self-sufficient. It must
raise by sponsorship all the monies needed to enable the event to
take place. This sponsorship amount is too pay for such items as
printing and distributing the programme, the provision of public
address systems for outdoor events, hiring generators and toilets,
and road closures for the Fancy Dress Parade, Street Fayre and 10
km run. The Festival programme is delivered free to all addresses
in the HP27 postcode area. Through the Festival, local and national
charities and organisations are able to raise their own funds, by
taking part in the  Street
Fayre, holding promotional events etc.
The Festival Committee also arranges the Christmas Lights evening
when the town’s festive lights are formally switched on. The
Market Square is usually filled with local people enjoying carols
and other festive music, visiting stalls selling hot food and seasonal
fare, while waiting for the lights to be switched on by members
of the cast from the pantomime at High Wycombe’s Swan Theatre.
If you would like to become involved in any aspect
of the Festival contact:
The Clerk to the Festival, 7 Ash Road,
Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0BH
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