Thousands expected at Spellbound Forest weekend

Delamere Forest is set to become the venue for a major new family arts event this May organised by social enterprise Wild Rumpus and the Forestry Commission.

Macclesfield-based Wild Rumpus will tell English fairy tales through a mix of theatrical performance, music, visual art and dance. Wild Rumpus is a not-for-profit social enterprise run by directors Rowan Hoban and Sarah Bird. More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the two-day event in Cheshire's largest woodland.

Rowan Hoban, Wild Rumpus director, said "Men will become birds, tears become rivers, and children whirl at the sylvan ball. The participants of the Spellbound Forest will contribute to the creation of a new English Fairytale, and sculpt a marvellous creation to live on in the forest long after the magic has faded.

"We're inviting families to step outside their everyday lives and join us on a spectacular, enchanted adventure through the forest. Delamere Forest is a magical location, and we're so very pleased to have the chance to weave our magic there."

Vernon Stockton, manager of Delamere Forest, owned by the government's Forestry Commission, said "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wild Rumpus to host this very exciting event in the Forest on 19 and 20 May. This fairytale spectacular is one of many events for 2012 to encourage people to come to Delamere Forest for new experiences and to enjoy the forest trails, spendid scenery and stunning views."

Wild Rumpus produces the Just So Festival, a family arts festival, which will take place next on 19 and 21 August 2012 at Rode Hall Estate in Cheshire.

• Tickets will go on sale and the full programme will be released on Monday 13 February at www.spellboundforest.org.uk