As part of WayWord Festival 2026, which is designed for children, Storyhouse in Chester is hosting an event called the “Farshore Funny Fest”. Children attending the event will have the chance to spend time with their favourite characters from the Beano comic and meet their creators.
Designed for children aged six and above, the entertaining experience will feature laugh-out-loud workshops, hilarious headliners and a good time for everyone attending. Morning and afternoon sessions have been organised to meet demand, and there will also be a main event in Storyhouse’s celebrated theatre.
Furthermore, there are three free activities to choose from, including Nigel Parkinson’s “Big Beano Draw-along”, a science show called “How to Save Your Granny from a Runaway Train”, and an interactive experience called “The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood” with Farhana Islam.
Craig Graham and Mike Stirling are the masterminds behind the Beano books and are the self-styled “Directors of Mischief and Mayhem”. The Farshore Funny Fest is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Dennis the Menace, and they will reveal their top-secret tips for creating the beloved comic’s hilarious stories. They will also help children in Chester co-create Dennis’s funniest comic strip ever.
Complementary activities will run at Storyhouse throughout the day, including book signings, face painting and scavenger hunts, and every child attending will receive a free Beano comic to enjoy.
The Farshore Funny Fest will take place at Storyhouse on Tuesday, 27 October. The arts hub is easy to spot on Hunter Street, in the heart of the city.