Kentish Express Ashford & District
Festival still on track for summer showcase
A popular festival is still on track to be held in August despite uncertainty around the future of coronavirus mitigation.
The Spirit of Tenterden team has vowed to continue planning the annual event, scheduled to be held on the town’s Recreation Ground from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23.
After the team held a WhatsApp conference call recently, chairman Justin Nelson commented: “While nobody can forecast what restrictions will be imposed in the coming weeks, we believe we should continue to plan in anticipation that measures could be eased and Spirit will be able to go ahead – and what a boost that would be for the whole community.”
Despite the festival being more than four months away, musicians and stallholders have already been flocking to get their hands on a pitch.
So far, 30 bands have signed up to perform on the main stage and 26 stallholders are set to add variety to the food, drink and activities on offer.
Among the bands performing will be Tenterden favourites Men Without Hens, while food and drink offerings will include a barbecue, Thai food, craft beers, a gin bar, cocktails and spirits.
Other stalls will include jewellery, candles, antiques and collectables.
The bulk of funding for the Spirit of Tenterden will come from stallholder applications, grants and a programme of fundraising events - already a quiz night saw £1,259 added to the pot, while the Tenterden Residents Association donated £200.
Two major fundraising events - a Race Night and an evening of Thai food – were provisionally planned at This Ancient Boro’ pub in the High Street in April and May.
However due to the current social distancing measures including their venue being temporarily closed - it is not known precisely when these events will happen.
Last year’s Spirit of Tenterden outing saw thousands coming to the town to enjoy the food, drink, music and fun on offer.
If, however, measures to combat Covid-19 are still in force this August, the organisers have decided to postpone the event until 2021.
The team has set Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4 as the dates for next year’s event.
The first Spirit of Tenterden Festival was held last year on the Recreation Ground.
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