Keynsham Music Festival hailed a success

THE distraction of English football and the unreliability of our summer weather failed to stop Keynsham Music Festival from staging another triumphant event.

A week of music and comedy gigs at various venues culminated in a Family Festival in the Memorial Park on July 6, the same day that England were facing Switzerland at Euro 2024.

But festival chair Mike May said: “This year’s festival was another great success despite some challenging weather conditions and the little matter of an important football match on the festival Saturday!

“It’s always great to see the community come together to support the festival and obviously enjoy everything we have put on.”

Among the new attractions was a Youth Stage, with festival organisers working with local schools and colleges to showcase more than 20 young performers. The festival also played host to a large number of students who wanted first-hand experience of working behind the scenes.

Mike added: “Given the high river levels, it was deemed to be too dangerous to hold the annual Lions duck races, so we designed an alternative river in the middle of the park. It was so successful it is very likely to become the norm from now on.”

Those who attended the free events on the main weekend were asked to make donations towards running costs.

Mike said: “We have yet to complete the balancing of the books but it looks as though we will be making a small loss.

“This is mostly due to the poor weather but is also a reflection of the economic climate we find ourselves in.”

Festival photos by Colin Rayner