Newtownards is gearing up for a puppet takeover this month when Northern Ireland’s only Puppet Festival comes to Conway Square.

Taking place from Saturday 26 May – Monday 28 May, the Ards and North Down Borough Council festival will be bigger and better than ever before, offering a jam-packed programme packed with puppet fun!

Over the festival, the town centre will be animated with an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from socks to shadows and strings, there’ll be lots of quirky characters to meet!

One of the programme highlights will be The Elephant Extravaganza which will take place on Sunday and Monday afternoon. Prepare to be amazed by ‘Harminder,’ Festive Road’s impressive, larger-than-life mechanical Asian elephant. Pedal-power brings her to life, with her ear, head and trunk movements adding to the spectacle as she perambulates. She loves nothing more than packing her trunk and going to new places and making new friends!

The festival Big Top in Conway Square will be buzzing with an impressive programme of high-quality shows scheduled over the three days. On Saturday morning, Banyan Theatre company presents Red Riding Hood and will recant this children’s favourite tale through puppetry storytelling and music. On Saturday afternoon, it’s the turn of The DaSilva Marionette Circus Troupe to take over the Big Top. Come and be amazed by aerial acrobatics on the flying trapeze, spectacular cycling stunts, cheeky clowns and more! On Sunday, The Cardboard Carnival, by Lempen Theatre will wow audiences with the ultimate animal show created entirely from cardboard! A Strange New Space by Tessa Bide – winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Primary Times Children’s Choice Award 2017-  will perform on Monday afternoon. This intergalactic adventure of space-obsessed Amira, mirroring her real-life journey as a refugee. A non-verbal, physical show for families with puppetry and original music.

There’s lots happening outside in Conway Square too with plenty of quirky characters to meet. Look out for The Alchemist and laugh at his failed attempts to make gold, have tea with the Big Bad Wolf (if you dare!) or marvel at Dangerous Dave and his daft stunts. Bump into an ancient 700-year-old Swedish Troll called Aloisious Ginderbalm performed by local puppeteer Paul Currie, watch Dr Frankenstein at work, meet the crazy Market Stall puppets who will have you in stitches as you select your veg and so much more!

More creative visitors can get stuck into puppet making at the free interactive workshops where children can build their very own puppets, guided by local artists. For the more energetic, there’s a Puppet Scavenger Hunt throughout Newtownards town centre. Follow the trail to find puppets hidden in shop windows!

Speaking about the festival, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “We are very excited about the festival this year which will be the biggest yet with three full days of puppetry. The calibre of performers is second to none and the magic of puppetry in all its forms and for all ages is not to be missed.”

Ards Puppet Festival takes place from 26 – 28 May in Conway Square Newtownards. For more information go to: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or www.ardsarts.com