St Georges Day Festival Weekend
William Shakespeare had Henry V rouse his troops into battle with a shout of ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St George’.....
...and while we’re not suggesting anything quite so dramatic, we do wish the organisers and visitors to the 2nd St Georges Day Festival a wonderful and successful event.
The St Georges Day Festival this year will be held on Lytham Green with a parade through Lytham after official opening takes place.
Guests will arrive on Friday at Lytham Hall from 12:30 for the official St George's lunch. Lunch will be followed by a Key Note address, entertainment and dancing until 19:00.
On Saturday, a very special black tie evening, promises to be the social event of the season. After a sumptuous meal a special guests will deliver an after dinner speech followed by a Charity Auction to help the organisers achieve their fundraising goal. The fun doesn’t stop there with fine wine and dancing into the early hours. This really promises to be an evening not to be missed.
Family Fun Day is scheduled for Sunday. The day will celebrate all of the things that make England the fine country that it is, fun filled and action packed providing something for everyone of every age.
The event takes place on the spectacular green in Lytham.
Gates open at 11am - Adults £3, children under 16 FREE!
Craft Fair
Army Climbing Wall
Beer Tent - Selection English Ales
Wandering Minstrels and Jesters
Refreshments
Local Produce Stalls
Paint Balling
Bouncy Castle
Coconut Shy
Fairground Ride
First Aid Demo
Childrens Outdoor Games
Have a GREAT St Georges Day and a brilliant Festival!
St George - A history lesson
St George is a popular figure, although very little is actually known about him. He is believed to have been born in Cappadocia in what is now Turkey. George became a soldier in the Roman army, but refused to follow the emperor’s orders to renounce his Christian faith.
The emperor offered him land, money and slaves if he would make a sacrifice to the pagan gods, but George refused. For this, he was tortured and executed in Palestine on 23 April 303.
St George gained in popularity during the Crusades. He is believed to have appeared before the Crusader army at the Battle of Antioch in 1098, and was adopted as the patron saint of soldiers. When Richard the Lionheart fought the Crusades, he put his army under St George’s protection and they wore the Cross of St George on their uniform.
St George and the Dragon
Medieval legend has it that a dragon made its nest at the spring that provided fresh water for the city of Silene in Libya. Every day, when the people went to collect their drinking water, they had to disturb the dragon, so they offered it sheep to keep it occupied...
When no sheep could be found, the people decided to offer the dragon a maiden from the city, chosen by drawing lots. One day the princess’s name was drawn and although her father begged for her life, she was offered to the dragon. As the dragon licked its lips, St George, a knight fighting in the Crusades, came riding by.
Protecting himself with the sign of the cross, he slaughtered the dragon and rescued the princess. The grateful citizens then abandoned their traditional beliefs and converted to Christianity.
Facts and traditions relating to St George
St George is associated with chivalry, courage and honour. King Edward III adopted St George as the patron of the Knights of the Garter, a new order of chivalry. The medal, awarded for acts of gallantry in battle, shows George on horseback slaying the dragon.
As well as England, St George is the patron saint of Moscow, Georgia, Lithuania, Portugal, Germany and Greece among others.
Lord Baden Powell adopted St George as the patron saint of scouting. For scouts, St George’s Day marks the first day of camping.
People fly the Cross of St George flag – a red cross on a white background.
In Russia and the Ukraine, the day is celebrated with spring festivals and picnics marking the end of winter.
Item courtesy of enjoyengland.com
Last Edited: 23/04/2010