From cattle shows and climbing walls to cheesemaking, live music and a Fairy Trail, around 10,000 visitors enjoyed this year’s Reaseheath Family Festival.
The popular annual event turned the Nantwich campus into a huge hands-on showcase of countryside industries, technical careers and community spirit, giving families the chance to explore everything from leading-edge agri-tech to traditional rural crafts.
One of the newest attractions for 2026 was the Fairy Trail, which delighted younger visitors as they explored the grounds, while crowds also gathered to watch a live performance from rising singer and guitarist Daisy Ball, who recently appeared on stage with Yungblud.
The main stage showcased local talent throughout the day with performances from Fox Dance Group, Nantwich Voices Choir, Celtica, One Achord Ladies Choir and SDA Street Dancers, helping create a festival atmosphere on the Main Lawn. Visitors were also entertained by roaming performers including travelling brass band King Brasstards and comedy act Mr Blighty, while families enjoyed a bustling farmers’ market, street food stalls, children’s craft activities, cattle and sheep shows and horse displays.
Hands-on activities remained at the heart of the festival, with opportunities to try archery with Greenbank Company of Archers, test skills on the Tot Wheels track and explore interactive exhibits across the college.
Across the campus, visitors watched demonstrations and displays showcasing the breadth of opportunities available at Reaseheath. Families tried their hand at everything from drone simulators and 3D printing in the Construction department to tree climbing with the countryside team and visited agri-tech exhibits featuring both vintage tractors and modern EV technology.
Reaseheath Food Centre once again attracted crowds, with demonstrations celebrating the heritage craft of authentic Cheshire cheesemaking alongside preparations for an ambitious giant Custard Cream world record attempt.
Continuing Reaseheath’s commitment to accessibility and wellbeing, the event partnered with Direct Access to deliver the Calm Corner, providing a quieter space for visitors needing time away from the crowds.
The event also marked the first stop for the Harvest Torch – an iron torch celebrating Cheshire’s rural heritage and communities – as it begins a tour around the county over the coming months.
Principal and CEO Marcus Clinton said: “Family Festival really showcases Reaseheath at its best and that best is quite amazing, which I heard time and again throughout the day.
“It’s a great opportunity to educate and plant seeds about all the careers and pathways we offer and I’m sure many a young mind will have Reaseheath in their thoughts now and excited about what their future could hold.
“I am extremely proud to lead the college and proud of our collective effort and approach to such an important and valuable day. The character of our college really shone through all day.”
