A packed programme of summer events is lined up for the 2017 Stevenage Festival, and this time around includes Rock in the Park on Stevenage Day.
Kicking things off is the Stevenage Fringe, which comprises a wide range of arts events around the town which started last weekend and continue through to July 22.
Fringe highlights include a concert by Stevenage Ladies Choir and Stevenage Male Voice Choir from 7.30pm this Saturday at St Nicholas Church in Rectory Lane.
At 7.45pm next Thursday, June 8, there is a major display by Stevenage Floral Arts Group at the High Street Methodist Church called Flowers Through the Ages, while at the same times on June 16 and 17 the Lytton Youth group presents Apocalypse Cow – a dark comedy about the end of the world.
The main thrust of the festival – which is held every two years – takes places at the town’s Gordon Craig Theatre in Lytton Way, where a variety of acts will take to the stage.
Among them will be the Hertfordshire Music Service, whose wind bands from Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth and Stevenage will be joining forces for an unforgettable evening of film, music and other popular tunes on Wednesday, June 21.
There is also a vibrant series of community concerts at the theatre from Wednesday, June 14, to Saturday, June 24.
They include concerts by primary and secondary school pupils, a rock choir, and a dance extravaganza.
To top it all off there will be a festival variety finale concert on June 24.
Right in the middle of the festival comes Stevenage Day on Sunday, June 11.
As one of the largest free events of its kind in Hertfordshire, and now in its 58th year, the annual event promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Attracting more than 25,000 people in 2016, the focus this year will be on the performance area and Rock in the Park, providing two sound stages to add to the themed activity areas on offer.
With a wide variety of specialist food vendors in a new food court area, and more than 200 stalls dedicated to charities, voluntary organisations and local businesses, there will be plenty to things to browse around.
To see if pitches are still available go to stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/stevenage-day.
For the complete festival programme, visit stevenage-festival.co.uk.
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