At the heart of every thriving festival is a hidden network of cheerful chaos, and at the Festival at the Friars’ Gate, that network bears a name: the Harleston Rats.

The Harleston Rats are a spirited corps of festival volunteers known for their quick feet, generous hearts, and unmistakable flair—each one wears a pair of jaunty rat ears and moves with the purpose of a creature too clever by half.

These volunteers “infest” the village not with trouble, but with helpfulness, weaving through crowds with a grin, a wink, and a purpose. Their duties range far and wide, but always with the same goal: to keep the lifeblood of the village flowing smoothly.

Rats run errands for performers and merchants, deliver lost items, fetch water, carry messages between booths, and offer weary vendors a chance to take a break. When a tent flap falls or a parade goes astray, it’s the Rats who scurry to set it right.

But they are not just workrats—they are characters in their own right. With twitching noses and cheeky attitudes, the Harleston Rats bring levity to the lanes.

Children love them, merchants rely on them, and festivalgoers follow their tails to find the hidden corners of the fair.

Some say the Rats have secret tunnels under the village. Others whisper of a cheese cache hidden in the woods. All that is certain is this: where there is need, where there is mischief, where there is merriment to be made—there, you'll find a Rat.

Want to join the Rat Corp? 

We'd love to have you! Fill out a Volunteer Application