Kent County Cricket Club will be holding the 161st Canterbury Cricket Week at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury – the oldest Cricket Week in the world.

There will be something for everyone across the five days of cricket from Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th August, and the Club have announced free entry for children aged 16 and under across the entire week.

Kent Cricket’s festival weeks are a big part of what defines the county in the cricketing landscape and gives it individual character. The traditions of the Cricket Week – marquees, brass band and Ladies’ Day give The Week a real sense of occasion. This year, a jazz band will greet supporters as they arrive at the ground.

Kent Cricket Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Clifford commented; “Canterbury Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Kent Cricket, it brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate cricket, the county, its traditions and rich history. But Cricket Week is about more than just the cricket, we also have bands, marquees, Ladies’ Day and a family day on Sunday 12th.”

On Wednesday 8th August, Kent take on local rivals, Essex in the LV= County Championship; the fierce rivalry along with Kent’s recent good form this season in the Championship will make this a must-see match. There will also be a wreath laying ceremony performed by Kent County Cricket Supporters’ Club and a performance from jazz band, Saturday Sounds during the lunch break.

Day two, Thursday 9th August is Ladies’ Day, which will include the Fenwick’s Fashion on the Outfield competition; giving Kent’s best dressed ladies the opportunity take to the red carpet and win some fantastic prizes, including a £500 voucher for Fenwick’s, £250 vouchers for Fitzgerald Jewellers and Whitefriars Canterbury, along with a Spa Day and lunch for two at Ashford International Hotel. Ladies’ Day also includes a Ladies’ Arcade, featuring locally sourced hats, jewellery and accessories, as well as a performance from The Corps of Drums of the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers.

Friday 10th August, the third day of the LV= County Championship match is Made in Kent Day – an opportunity for local craftspeople to sell and exhibit their locally produced items in the marquees around the ground.

Sunday, 12th August is Family Day as Kent Spitfires take on Derbyshire Falcons in the Clydesdale Bank 40. Kent beat Derbyshire in the reverse fixture on Tuesday night at the County Ground, Derby. Kent Spitfires are seeking a quarter final place in the competition. The Club are offering free entry to children once again for this Sunday fixture and a wide range of entertainment, including Victa’s 2012 Challenge (the opportunity to win a gold medal), bouncy castle, face painting and the Children’s Arcade, with arts and crafts, toy and games. There will also be the opportunity to have your photo taken with the Olympic Torch as torchbearer Rob Waite will be with us.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of history on your doorstep, by coming along to the world’s most historic Cricket Week. For those keen on keeping track of the Olympics, there will be screens in all the bar areas around the Club.

Save by pre-purchasing print-at-home tickets from the Kent Cricket website: www.kentcricket.co.uk