Hello Harpenden! 👋 Bank holiday bliss is heading our way with Abbots Funfair spinning onto the Common, the Hertfordshire County Show bringing farmyard fun, and The Plough & Harrow's Spring Festival offering free live music all weekend! Plus wellness workshops, farmers markets, a charity rugby match and family activities to fill your half-term calendar. First we have some exciting news…

Foodie Alert: Sitwell Food Safari Coming to Harpenden! 🍽️🥂

Calling all food lovers! 🔥 The buzz around town is REAL... William Sitwell (yes, THE William Sitwell - editor, writer, broadcaster and restaurant critic extraordinaire) is bringing his FABULOUS Food Safari to our very own Harpenden on Friday, 20th June! 🗓️

This isn't just any old dinner, folks! 👀 The Sitwell team will be shining their culinary spotlight on some of our absolute BEST local spots - Vin Santo, Brad & Dills, The Silver Palate, The Silver Cup, and The Pudding Stop! 🍷🍔🍰 It's basically a food lover's dream crawl through town!

Fair warning: tickets for these events disappear FASTER than cake at a children's party! ⚡ Their last event sold out in under 24 hours, so don't snooze on this one!

The whole delicious affair is proudly sponsored by our friends at Whittaker & Co. 👏

Want the full menu details and tickets? Pop over to williamsitwell.com right now! Your taste buds will thank you later! 😋

P.S. Love staying in the know about local happenings? Spread the word! Tell your friends and neighbors about Harpenden Highlights so they don't miss out on the best events in town. Subscribe at https://harpenden-highlights.beehiiv.com/subscribe and never miss a local update again! 📱✨

Now to the week ahead…

Thursday Treats (22nd May)

7:00-9:00 PM: Ladies, mark your calendars! ✨ The "Thriving through Menopause" evening at The Harpenden Arms promises to be both enlightening and empowering. You'll get expert insights on everything from nutrition and sleep to pilates and skincare. It's like having all your wellness questions answered in one go! 💪 

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Early birds can catch the Harpenden Business Buzz Networking event at The George. For just £10+VAT, you can mingle with local entrepreneurs over coffee - no stuffy membership required! 🤝☕

9:30 AM: Golfers looking to up their game can swing by The Harpenden Collective for their Golf Performance Workshop. Fore! 🏌️‍♀️

10:00 AM & 11:30 AM: Got little ones? Harpenden Library is hosting Baby Rhyme Time at both these times. It's free, fun, and the perfect way to get those tiny humans socializing! 👶🎵

8:00 PM: Evening entertainment? Flex those brain muscles at The Harpenden Arms pub quiz. At just £2 per person (teams up to 6), it's the perfect excuse to gather your clever friends and show off your useless knowledge! 🧠🍻

Fabulous Friday (23rd May)

5:00 PM: The weekend kicks off with a bang as Abbots Funfair arrives on Harpenden Common! 🎡 Running all weekend, it's bringing thrills and cotton candy vibes to our town. Who says you're too old for a carousel ride?

1:30-5:00 PM: Fancy stretching your legs? Join the River Lea Walking Tour Part Four, starting at Harpenden Station. This 3.5-hour adventure (roughly 5.5 miles) will take you through the gorgeous Brocket Hall estate and into Welwyn. History, nature, and exercise all wrapped into one lovely afternoon! 🚶‍♀️🌳

Super Saturday (24th May)

8:30 AM-5:30 PM: Rise and shine for the Hertfordshire County Show! 🐄 Running Saturday and Sunday at The Showground, this agricultural extravaganza features everything from show jumping to celebrity chef demos. The Grand Parade with over 50 animals is a must-see, and the Atkinson Action Horses will have you on the edge of your seat! Little ones can even try their hand at pizza making - yum! 🍕

2:00 PM (doors), 3:00 PM (kick-off): Sports fans, don't miss the HRFC Charity Rugby Match! 🏉 Watch the Calm Crusaders take on Harpenden RFC as they battle it out for the Sullivan Shield. But this isn't just about the rugby - enjoy live music, a sizzling BBQ, fully stocked bar, plus try your luck at the raffle and charity auction. Every penny raised goes to CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), so you can have a fantastic time while supporting mental health awareness. Tackle the stigma! 💙

All Day + Evening: The Plough & Harrow kicks off its free SPRING FESTIVAL with live music (listed below), BBQ food, and family fun. The bouncy castle will keep the kids entertained while you sample the selection of beers and ciders! 🍺

8:00-9:00 PM: Head2Head (rock & pop covers) takes the outdoor stage at The Plough & Harrow.

9:00-11:00 PM: Scary Canary (pop/rock) continues the musical entertainment - guaranteed toe-tappers! 🎸

Sensational Sunday (25th May)

10:00 AM-2:00 PM: Start your Sunday right at the beloved Harpenden Farmers' Market on the Common. With around 70 stalls, you can stock up on everything from fresh local meats and veggies to artisan bread and local tipples. Don't forget to bring your shopping bags! 🛒🥕🧀

1:00 PM: Cricket fans! Don't miss the action this as our Harpenden CC First XI takes on Peterborough Town at the Common! 🔥 Bring the family and cheer on our local heroes! 💪🏏

5:00-7:00 PM: As the day winds down, head to The White Horse in Hatching Green for their Summer Sunday Sessions. Live music on the terrace is the perfect accompaniment to their Sunday roast (two courses for £26, three for £32). Sunsets and sweet tunes - what more could you ask for? 🎵🌅

Don't forget it's also the final day to catch the Abbots Funfair and the County Show!

Magnificent Monday (26th May - Bank Holiday)

All Week: It's Bank Holiday Monday! 🎉 If you've got energetic youngsters to entertain, Everyone Active is launching their half-term activity camps today, running through Friday. From netball to trampolining, they'll be thoroughly worn out by pickup time! 🏐🤸‍♀️

All Day: Looking for a relaxed day? Both The White Horse and The Old Cock Inn are offering Bank Holiday specials. Why cook when you can put your feet up and let someone else do the hard work? The Old Cock Inn is perfect for catching up with friends, while The White Horse has those tempting two gastropub classics for £25. Diet starts tomorrow, right? 🍽️🍷

Tuesday Tidbits (27th May)

All Week (27th-30th May): Football fans aged 5-14, listen up! ⚽ Titans FA Holiday Camp kicks off at St George's School today! This action-packed camp isn't just about scoring goals – it's daily prizes, incredible indoor AND outdoor facilities (rain won't stop play!), and a specially designed program to ensure every child has a blast while building skills. Book just one day or the whole week – it's flexible childcare that kids actually want to attend! Perfect for burning off that half-term energy! 🏆

2:15-2:45 PM: The little ones will love Storytime at Harpenden Library, perfect for pre-schoolers needing a half-term treat. 📚

3:00-4:30 PM: For the crafty among us, Craftea at the library offers a chance to work on your projects while enjoying a cuppa and chat. Bring your knitting needles or join in their guided activity - creativity and caffeine, the perfect combination! 🧶☕

Winning Wednesday (28th May)

Evening (8:00 PM start): Quiz enthusiasts rejoice! 🎯 Wednesday night is quiz night in Harpenden, with both The Old Cock Inn and The Amble Inn hosting their popular brain-teasers. Gather your smartest friends, come up with a punny team name, and test your knowledge. With two venues to choose from, you've no excuse not to flex those mental muscles! 🧠🍻

Coming Up in June! 📆

Starting 12th June: Calling all new mamas! 👶 6WeekSocial's postnatal course kicks off for you and your 0-12 month bundles of joy! 🌟

Covering weaning, pelvic health, baby sleep and exercise PLUS (the best bit!) coffee catch-ups, lunches and walks with other adults who understand why you've worn the same leggings three days running! 😅 Join them at the Salvation Army & Little Gym - because parenting is better with friends and actual hot drinks! ☕💕 Book now for your weekly dose of sanity, solidarity, and expert guidance. 💕👩‍👦 More info and pricing here.

Whatever you choose to do this week, have a fantastic time enjoying all that our wonderful town has to offer! Tag us in your Instagram stories and keep supporting our amazing local venues. 👑 See you around Harpenden! 💖

Got a local event or special day you'd like us to feature? We'd love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll shine our spotlight on your community happenings! ✨