THERE will be a wildlife theme for the second ever Camp Bestival Shropshire in 2023, organisers have announced.

The event, to be held at Weston Park from August 17-20, is a spin-off version of the popular original festival in Dorset, and will feature headline acts such as Primal Scream, Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Eurovision star Sam Ryder.

Radio 2 DJ and tv presenter Sara Cox will be judging the wildlife theme fancy dress competition on Saturday August 19, which Camp Bestival founders and curators Rob and Jose Da Bank say came straight from feedback from 2022’s event.

And this has led to a partnership with the renowned WWF.

They said: “We weren’t sure if we were going to have a theme for dressing up at Camp Bestival Shropshire this year (as you all made such a brilliant effort and seemed to nail it in our first year!) but you spoke, and we listened.

“So many of you have been in touch asking what the theme is, so we had a think and chatted with our lovely friends over at the WWF and can reveal that our theme for 2023 is wildlife.

“Yes, that’s the animal kingdom covered and some great options for you to choose and get inspired from the millions of species on this planet.

“We want you to think laterally too and a bit off the beaten track, so think about being wild and living a wild-life or think about where else you might discover wildlife, or just come back to good old animals and birds.

“We love your adventurousness, ingenuity and creativity and can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

Sara Cox added: “I can’t believe it’s nearly time to be venturing out into the fields of Weston Park once more for Camp Bestival Shropshire – I’m beyond excited.

“You’d better start planning your outfits because if this year’s Fancy Dress Saturday is anything like last time, then it’s going to be tough competition.

“You’re a brilliantly inventive bunch and I can’t wait to clap eyes on all your wild creations.”

Louise Oakley, director of events and community fundraising at WWF said: “With this year’s ‘Wildlife’ theme, WWF is delighted to be working with Camp Bestival to share our work with festival-goers and get vital support to bring our world back to life by protecting and restoring species and habitats for the benefit of future generations.”

Camp Bestival Shropshire tickets are on sale now at shropshire.campbestival.net