The return of the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival
Yes, you have read it correctly – Dorset really does have its own Knob Throwing Festival and it is one of our favourite local annual events.
Last year the festival took a break, however it was back with a bang this year and we couldn’t wait to try our hand at some of the fun games on offer.
Before you worry that anyone was hurt for this event, a Dorset Knob is a unique savoury biscuit which has been made by the Moores family since 1880. Each biscuit is individually moulded by hand and has three separate bakings lasting a total of four hours. The whole process taking eight to ten hours!
It’s no respectable afternoon tea for these biscuits on a day like this though.
Instead you are expected to put these little biscuits through their paces with games such as Putt the Knob, Knob Darts and Knob or No Knob.
There was also knob eating, knob painting, a knob and spoon race, guess the weight of the big knob, pin the knob on the Cerne Abbas Giant and a knob pyramid to keep everyone entertained.
The event costs £5 for adults and children under 14 go free, however, it is worth bearing in mind that all the games cost £1 for 3 knobs to play, which all goes towards local charities, so make sure you take plenty of change.
The Frome Valley Food Festival also runs alongside the festivities, with the opportunity to sample, taste and purchase a huge range of locally produced foods including bread, cheese, cider, meat, fudge, chocolate, coffee and wine, with some of the vendors calling their produce with some firmly “tongue in cheek” names.
The Knob Throwing itself looks easy, however it isn’t!
You have to throw the knob under-hand and the knobs are so unbelievably light they barely travel any distance. I did see a few Dad’s dunking them in their pint before they threw them for a bit of extra weight.
We certainly didn’t get anywhere near the current record of 22.70 metres, although Eliza is our current champion with an impressive 6 metre throw.
The Dorset Knob Throwing Festival is a fun family event that appeals to all ages, with fun and games, music, good food and drink and we cannot wait for next years.
Might get the kids in training first!!
Keep an eye on facebook.com/DorsetKnobThrowing/ for more information about next years event as soon as it is announced!
Stevie - A Home In Cornwall
This is so wonderfully random ha! Cornwall has all sorts of traditions that confuse people too, this does sound fun though!
Anosa
There is such a thing as a knob throwing festival? I would definitely love to partake in this one day, it looks really fun
susanna
We have a bun throwing festival in Abington. Who knew??? Sounds like fun x
Rhian westbury
Oh my goodness this sounds so funny and so much fun. Local events must be so nice x
Kirsty
That is a such a cool family event to be able to go to year on year and try out all the knob filled games like darts or throwing, well done on Eliza for 6 metres!
Louise
I never thought I’d say this but my god, a knob throwing festival looks like a lot of fun!!! 😀
Louise x
Louise Joy
Hahaha this sounds awesome, I love reading about stuff like this! Things like cheese rolling festivals etc. I’ve never heard of this particular festival though but I would love to take part one day! x
Rebecca Smith
This is such a fun sounding festival and sounds like such a unique event to attend!
fashionandstylepolice
I love the sound of this event. The kids would love it too!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
Unique and age old events like this are so much fun. Brilliant for a family day out, and great to get everyone involved.
Tanya Brannan
I can’t believe I have never heard of this before! It sounds like such random fun, especially for children too.
I really need to check this out in time for next year as who doesn’t need a knob festival in their lives???
Eva Katona
I’ve never heard of this before – what an unusual festival – looks like fun!
Sarah
Ahaha this is amazing! I cant believe this is a thing! It sounds like such a fun event! (I just checked and it’s actually really close to me, I am SO going next time!!)
admin
the child in my laughed at the name of this event! sorry i will never grow up. It looks like immense fun though!
Kara
We spent the whole day chuckling, especially at the hi-viz helpers walking around with Knob helper on the back of their tops
Ashleigh Dougherty
This event certainly does sound different but looks like a lot of fun!
Jenni
Ooh I bet you can get some lovely local products from the stalls