Cash appeal to make sure Streetfest can return
ORGANISERS of the popular annual crowd-pleaser, International Streetfest, say they will need the help of the people of Ashbourne if the event is to return next year.
Ashbourne Festival, which organises and pays for the free weekend of town centre entertainment, says it needs to raise enough money to bounce back from a year in which it had to completely shut down its planned events because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The committee wants to bring Streetfest back as part of the 2021 festival it is optimistically working on now, but admits that, even with public support, it will be a different event to those seen in the past.
Festival spokesman Tim Challans said: “Everybody loves the fun of Streetfest and Ashbourne Festival organisers were very sad to be forced to cancel it this year.
“However, they are determined to try and put it on again next year.
“Streetfest is free to watch but you will not be surprised that it costs a lot of money to put on.
“Unlike many street theatre events around the country, Ashbourne Festival pays the performers a fee and also pays for their accommodation.
“Although it is run entirely by volunteers it still costs about £20,000 00 for the two days.
“To have Streetfest next year the festival needs to raise a great deal of money and is looking to your generosity to help it lift everybody’s dy’s spirits in June 2021.
“In order to o support the British artists that have suffered so much during the Covid-19 pandemic, Streetfest 2021 will just showcase performers from the United Kingdom.”
Each year the festival’s volunteers gather in donations during the event, which goes towards staging Streetfest the following year. But this was not possible in 2021, so a new crowd-funding scheme has been launched this month to help plug the gap in funding. Mr Challans said: “If you are a Streetfest regular you are sure to have put money in collection buckets. “If you are able to giv give a similar amount as part of a crowdf unding a appeal, A sh - bourne Fes t i v a l ca can make it happen aga again. “A contribution will give you a great day o out, some wonderful memories and help support this great community event.”
To find out more about the crowd-funding scheme and how to support it, visit www. crowdfunder.co.uk/help-tobring-back-ashbourne-streetfest-in-2021
Although it is run entirely by volunteers, it still costs about £20,000 for the two days.
Festival spokesman Tim Challans