Let's get the party started. . .

STRATFORD is once again gearing up to take centre stage for Shakespeare’s 454th birthday celebrations this weekend.

The event — the biggest in the town’s calendar — promises spectators three days of non-stop entertainment with a blend of old traditions and exciting new features.

A new highlight of this year’s celebrations sees the town hosting the UK’s first National Living Statue Championship, a community-led Literary Carnival Parade, a market village and array of entertainment and live performances.

And keep an eye on our website tomorrow, Saturday, where our team of journalists will bring you live updates, photos and video throughout the morning.

But, to get things started, below is your weekend timetable of events. . .

FRIDAY, 20th APRIL

• 6.30pm: Reception — Town Hall;
• 7.30pm-9pm: Statues by Night Opening Ceremony — Bancroft Gardens.

SATURDAY 21st APRIL

• 9.30am-10.30am: Schools’ Country Dancing — Front of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street;
• 9.30am-10.30am: Balloonatic — Opposite Shakespeare Centre;
• 9.30am-4pm: Compere SWANK — Henley Street;
• 10am-5pm: The Market Village — Recreation Ground (weather permitting);
• 10.30am-4.30pm: Pentagon art — Outside Box Brownie.Civic Celebrations
• 10.15am: KES and Primary School Parades;
• 10.40am: Civic Parade; n 11am: Flag Unfurling Ceremony;
• 11.20am: Community Literary Carnival Pageant;
• 12.20pm: Processions to Holy Trinity Church — Chapel Lane, Theatre Gardens, Waterside, Bridge Street, High Street, Chapel Street, Church Street and Old Town.
• 10.55am-11.15am: Flag Unfurling Ceremony — Bridge Street;
• 11am-5pm: Vintage Singers and Street Theatre — Recreation Ground and Bancroft Gardens;
• 11.20am-11.50am: Community Literary Carnival Pageant from Chapel Street via High Street to Bridge Street;
• 11.30am-noon: Renaissance Dancers — Opposite Shakespeare Centre;
• 11.30am-noon: Shottery Girls’ Grammar, 20-minute performance — Library.
• Noon-1pm: Bang On performance — Henley Street;
• Noon-1pm: Balloonatic — Opposite Library or SC as preferred;
• Noon-1.30pm: Circus Skills — Library;
• Noon-5pm: Living Statues Championship — Bancroft Gardens;
• 12.20pm: Procession to Holy Trinity Church to lay flowers on Shakespeare’s grave — Bridge Street, High Street, Chapel Street, Church Street, Old Town;
• 1.30pm-2.30pm: Morris Dancers — Library;
• 1.30pm-2.30pm: Entertainment from Iqbal Academy — Traditional Pushtoon folk music and singing from this talented group;
• 1.30pm-2.30pm: Balloonatic — Opposite Library or SC as preferred;
• 2.30pm-3pm: Music Anon — Library;
• 2.30pm-3pm: Renaissance Dancers — Opposite Shakespeare Centre;
• 3pm-4pm: Bang On performance — Front of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street;
• 7pm-9.30pm: Mime Theatre at Bancroft Gardens and Dustbowl.

SUNDAY, 22nd APRIL

• 10am: ‘Mr Shakespeare’ will come from the Birthplace to the Town Hall for the presentation of the Quill to KES Head Boy — Henley Street, High Street;
• 10am-5pm: The Market Village, venue weather dependent — Recreation Ground or Bridge Street;
• 10.45am: Civic Procession to Holy Trinity Church and Quill Cameo — Chapel Street, Church Street, Old Town;
• 11.15am-12.15pm: Shakespeare Service — Holy Trinity Church;
• Noon-4pm: Living Statues Championship — Bancroft Gardens;
• 4pm: Living Statues Championship Winner Announcement — Bandstand, Recreation Ground.