Music festival is set to rock town

8:30am Saturday 10th May 2008

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ORGANISERS of Yate's only music festival are preparing to rock the town this summer.

The committee working on final preparations for the Kingsgate Park Music Festival on Saturday, June 14 (1-9pm) say the third extravaganza is nearly ready to rock and roll.

Local musicians will be showcasing their talent, including young bands Sox and Area 51, at the completely free event.

Town councillor John Ford spearheaded the first festival in 2006.

He said: "Yate Town Council took over responsibility for the park from South Gloucestershire Council and we started thinking what we could do there.

"I came up with the idea of a music festival, although at first it was more folk-based.

"It hasn't been modelled on any other festival but is entirely our own idea."

Each year the bands booked for the event have become more upbeat.

Cllr Ford added: "The first year we held it we didn't really know what to expect or how many people to expect.

"We found out the park could take something a little more upbeat and we have had no complaints from nearby residents.

"There has been no violence or drunken nuisance behaviour at either of the previous festivals.

"Even the first year the festival surpassed all our expectations but this year it is going to be top notch."

The musical highlights will be cover band Tundra performing hits from the Police, Status Quo, Dire Straits and Elvis and headliners Beach Boys tribute band Good Vibrations.

The festival will also have something for little ones with a free bouncy castle, face painting and a Punch and Judy show.

The Kingswood Bus Project will also be in the park with a BMX display and interactive activities for teenagers. The new treetop play area will also be open for use and there will be craft and food stalls.

Cllr Ford said: "We are aiming the festival at anybody, but families especially.

"There will be lots and lots for children and teenagers to do and we are opening the gates between the park and Stanshawes Court Hotel for adults to enjoy a drink."

The Friends of Kingsgate Park are organising the event and have employed Rhodes Management to help with licensing issues.

Civic leaders will be lending a hand as car parking attendants for the day and King Edmund Community School will allow festival-goers to park in school grounds.

Extra police community support officers will be on patrol at the festival, which attracted more than 1,000 people last year.