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Countdown to Hedfest
IT’S SIX DAYS TO #HEDFEST18
The excitement, in anticipation of Hedfest on Saturday, continues to build in Hedon. The community-based music and family entertainment festival certainly creates a buzz in the ancient market town! Expect a mad flurry of activity online, as bands and acts promote their slots in the programme via social media; while fans and the public interact with them on Facebook, Twitter, etc as decisions are made about the best places to visit on the day.
Photo by David Thompson
It’s not just social media promoting #Hedfest18, traditional media gets a look-in too. BBC Radio Humberside are due to broadcast live from one of the venues, The Haven Arms, from 12 – 3pm with a Hedfest special on Friday, the day before festival. Even more traditionally, Hedon’s own Town Crier, John Dawson, has been out and about making official announcements about the festival. He was joined in town last Saturday by the BBC’s Lucy Clark – Lucy is a performance poet herself and expected to perform at “The King’s Spoken Word” at the King’s Head on Saturday
And there’s plenty to talk about as the festival hosts some fifty acts over the twelve hours of the music and entertainment programme. Some great bands include: International songwriters and performers Craig & Willoughby are at the Church, also Hillbilly Troupe, Cuba Drive & Bud Sugar perform at The Alex. The Haven hosts The Froot and Holy Orders. There are four other official venues.
There’s lots for the children too – there’s Go Karting for 3 – 13 year olds, fairground rides, a magician, a special appearance by Bob the Robot and a whole host of costumed characters to see too; from Princesses and Elves, through to Captain America and Wonder Woman! There’s a re-enactment of scenes from Lord of the Rings by the Fellowship of the Precious. And expect to see all these characters out in force on the Carnival Parade – surely the highlight of the Hedon Festival when the streets of Hedon centre gets filled with people of all ages as spectators and participants merge into one giant swinging, conga-ing, samba-ing and dancing mass of party people.
For this Hedfest blogger, the day is just full of dilemmas – I can solve the puzzle of being able to listen to Carrie Martin at the St Augustine’s Church at 2pm, and get to see Lucy Clark at the King’s Head at 3.10pm, whilst traversing my way through thousands of people on the Carnival Parade? But harder to fathom is how I’m going to see my favourite Hedon band Cuba Drive at the Alexandra Hall at 10pm, yet get back across to the Church to see a bit of Craig & Willoughby also at 10pm and yet still get to the Haven Arms for 11pm to see Holy Orders whilst simultaneously catching Hillbilly Troupe at The Alex… also at 11pm? Whatever the hour, between 12 noon and midnight, Hedfest is going to be just so full of such delightful dilemmas!
#Hedfest18 takes place Sat 7 July from mid-morning to midnight. Programmes available with listings and map (£2) from various outlets across the town.
#Hedfest18 – Come to Hedon on Sat 7 July!
HEDON FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 7 JULY – 12 noon to 12 midnight!
Watching The King’s Horses who will be performing at the Haven Arms.
PROGRAMME SOON AVAILABLE (£2) – With all the information you need to enjoy the Festival.
It’s back! After a break for a year, the Hedon Festival with music and entertainment for all, is back for its third event on Saturday, July 7. #Hedfest18 will differ from previous festivals in that it will be a free event with the Hedon Town Council, pub venues and others working together to put on a programme of acts, bands, comedy, and performance poetry. Seven official venues will be involved with Hedfest; the Alexandra Hall, St. Augustine’s Church, The Station, King’s Head, Shakespeare Inn, Queen’s Head and the Haven Arms – each bringing something different to the mix with most styles and genre of music represented. During the course of the next few weeks we will bring you news from each of the festival official venues.
An impressive line-up of over 40 bands includes a mix of local and regional talent such as Bud Sugar, Cuba Drive, Urban Rain, Black Kes, The Wounded Healers, The Froot, Holy Orders, The Corsairs, Habitual Twist, Shout and Jaimie Smithson. Great performance poets will be attending too with Mike Watts, Lucy Clark and Ian Winter amongst others bringing a barrage of mirth, humour and wit to the proceedings.
Carnival Parade:
A few of the characters who will be joining the Carnival Parade (assembles from 12.30pm on Ivy Lane, Market Hill, Hedon).
A key feature once again will be the town Carnival Parade, which, with involvement from local communities – and this year, with the added attraction of fairy tale, super heroes and other costumed characters taking part – will bring festival colours, sounds and just a touch of Rio de Janeiro style atmosphere to the streets of Hedon. Hedon Methodist Church will be holding a workshop in the morning so you can make your costumes, hats or props for the parade and will be holding other events and activities during the day.
Children’s Activities on from mid-morning to 5pm will include Go Karts (for 3 – 13 year olds), fairground rides, a chance to try-out with the Humber Warhawks American Football team, guest appearances from characters from fairy tales, super heroes and science fiction. Lots more too – read the Programme and follow this website.
After its gap year, #Hedfest18 intends to put the town back firmly on the local festival map to excite both residents and visitors.
Councillor Steve Gallant, 672nd Mayor of Hedon, said: “Hedon Town Council took a big risk when we held the first HedFest in 2015. But the people of Hedon came out in their thousands to enjoy the parade and entertainment across all the different venues. The HedFests in 2015 and 2016 were the biggest community events in the town for many years. Last year we took a year off (to give Hull’s City of Culture a chance!) but this year we are back and planning a fantastic one day festival with something for everyone. And if your community group want to be involved get in touch at the Town Hall. Make sure you put July 7th in your diary and get a programme to plan your day”
The Chair of the Hedfest18 organising group, David Thompson, said: “As things often do, Hedfest all started with a conversation in a pub. We thought how good it would be for the town to stage a really big event, one that will get the town buzzing. This, we have done in 2015 and 2016 with spectacular success, and with thousands attending. This has really put Hedon on the events map, has been great for the Town, its economy and community. After the first Hedfest, I said ‘brilliant, brilliant , brilliant!’. This year, it`s great to see Hedfest18 going ahead, and it promises to be brilliant again.”
This is a definite date to note in your diary: #Hedfest18 – takes place Saturday 7 July from 12 noon until 12 midnight and is a free event to enjoy.
HedFest UK - The Hedon Festival 