HEART-STOPPING acrobatics, playful family shows and a Community Carnival parade are the order of the day as the countdown to Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) begins.

SIRF19 takes place from Thursday, August 1 – Sunday 4 with more than 150 performances throughout to entertain, intrigue and excite residents and visitors.

The Northern Echo:

Reynard the Fox

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for health, leisure and culture, said: “SIRF is one of the biggest street art festivals in the UK and it’s always a major highlight on our events calendar.

“There is something for everybody over the four days of this free major event, and with over 40 theatre companies performing at this year’s festival, there will be a wide variety of street theatre, dance, music, digital arts and circus, as well as acrobatics acts, to make your SIRF experience really special. I always look forward to the Community Carnival which provides an opportunity for lots of local voluntary and community organisations to be directly involved in the artistry and fun of the festival.

The Northern Echo:

Launch show: Drôles d'oiseaux et Art Blaxon

“Keep an eye on

www.sirf.co.uk

and look out for the printed programme over the next few weeks to help you plan your visit.”