THIS weekend’s March Summer Festival will be celebrating the Best of British - with a packed programme of entertainment including a colourful carnival parade, rock and pop concerts, and a big band festival finale.
The free three-day festival in West End Park kicks off tonight (Friday) at 6.30pm, with Rock in the Park, when young bands perform on an outdoor stage. This lively mix of music will showcase local bands including The Projectionists, Death Radio, Damaged, and the Circle of Reason.
Saturday promises to be an action packed day, with March Lions opening their charity fund raising gala at 8am, with a variety of stalls provided by numerous local organisations.
The ever popular festival parade will leave the City Road car park at 12.30pm, led by the gala princess and her attendant, along with the Mayor of March, Councillor Andrew Pugh.
After the Best of British themed parade wends its way to the park, the festival will be officially opened by the Mayor, and the Principal of Neale-Wade Academy Jason Wing at 1.45pm, and the entries will be judged and trophies awarded. A fancy dress competition will be judged at 2pm.
Then it’s Pop in the Park for the rest of the day. Acts on the outdoor stage include Lisa Dickinson’s Dance Mania, Sarah’s Street Style Dance, and bands Soulweaver, Scooted’n’Booted, and The Band from County Hell. Also on stage will be young musicians Dan Austin and Misty Weaver, and a new group from Neale-Wade, Radiowave. The last band on stage, at 8.15pm, will be the tribute band UK Beach Boys.
The atmosphere in the park changes on Sunday, with a car boot sale all morning, followed by a Picnic in the Park event with entertainment from Chatteris Town Band, Ivan Garford and the Dead Swingers, MADAOS performing songs from the shows, the March based band The Rainmen, and Friendly Fenland Folk.
Circus skills and story telling are also on the afternoon’s programme, along with a children’s colouring competition. Fairground rides and refreshments are available all weekend.
The festival finale is a performance by the Alan Norris Big Band at 7.30pm. This concert will move indoors to St Peter’s Church if the weather is wet.
Highlights of the Weekend
Friday
6.30pm - 9.45pm Rock in the Park, young bands perform on outdoor stage
Saturday
From 8am March Lions Gala
12.30pm Carnival parade leaves City Road Car Park
1.45pm Pop in the Park, with bands and dance groups
8.15pm UK Beach Boys
Sunday
8am-12noon Car boot sale
12.30pm - 6.15pm Picnic in the Park, with brass, jazz, folk and pop
7.30pm Festival Finale by the Alan Norris Big Band
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