Stratford’s new festival was a hit as 12,000 flocked to Rec for weekend of music and arts
A LIVE music festival returned to Stratford town centre for the first time in years, bringing crowds flocking to the Rec at the weekend.
An estimated 12,000 people attended the Stratford Pursuits Festival on Saturday and Sunday where there were live bands, stalls selling food and drink and marquees where there was art, crafts, sports and wellbeing on offer.
With the sun shining (for once), the inaugural festival was a success, organisers Kate Livingston told the Herald. And she plans to come back next year for more.
“The feedback has been overwhelming,” Kate said. “On social media people were saying how well organised it was and messaging me on Facebook to say ‘thanks’.
“There were so many people to keep happy, but the musicians were happy, the stallholders were happy and the charities and groups were happy.”
As it was the first running of the festival, Kate said she had to work hard to get to know Stratford and its communities, but said everyone was so helpful and accommodating.
She particular praised Stratford Self Store for its early support for the event along with Stratford Town Council and Boutique Marquees.
Music came from local bands and performers, including the Ukes of Ale, Scratchy Beard, Stratford College, Joe Dolman, SKAlectrics, James Schofield and Pixie Fit.
The only issue during the weekend, Kate said, was a family of angry geese who invaded the festival area – although to be fair, the area is usually theirs to wander at will.
However, angry geese will not ruffle Kate’s feathers. The Stratford Pursuits Festival will be back next year, around the same time in May, but first the action moves to Warwick Pursuits Festival on 22nd-23rd June.
