Stevenage Day all set to rock in town’s 70th anniversary year
Room 94 will headline the festivities on Stevenage Day. - Credit: Archant
His musical pedigree hasn’t included being part of a boy band, but outgoing Stevenage mayor Howard Burrell gamely got behind the drums to officially announce the headline act for this year’s Stevenage Day festival.
Band, Room 94 consisting of Sean Lemon, Kit Tantom, Dean Lemon and Kieran Lemon with former mayor Howard Burrell on drums - Credit: Archant
Mr Burrell recently retired as Emeritus Professor of Music from the University of Hertfordshire and has written symphonies and other compositions and picked up the sticks to help sound a drum roll for up and coming Potters Bar band Room 94, who will headline as the Rock in the Park stage returns to the event for the first time in seven years.
He said: “It’s going to be a special year this year because it’s the 70th anniversary of Stevenage and the Queen’s birthday.
“There will be more stuff going on than ever. Stevenage Day is very important for the local community, it provides opportunities, not just for bands but for all sorts of performers and organisations to showcase themselves.”
For a decade Rock in the Park featured a wealth of local musicians every summer before its demise due to organisational difficulties.
But in the 70th year since the foundation of the new town, it will provide the soundtrack to Stevenage Day at the King George V playing fields on Sunday, June 12.
Stevenage Festival chairman Ron Walker, said: “We’ve always wanted to bring back Rock in the Park as it was so popular with so many people. We’re delighted to inject a bit more of the old Rock in the Park magic into a well loved Stevenage event.”
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There will also be Stevenage bands The Cardinal Kings and Space Goat, and performers from previous Rock in the Park events, including The Defekters and Mark Sullivan.
As well as the music the day will feature free attractions including hot air balloon rides, junk drumming, a BMX track, indoor laser quest, a children’s beach, caricatures and African fire eating. It was also announced this week that Stevenage BMW showroom, Specialist Cars, will sponsor the event.
For more details on Stevenage Day, visit www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-day.
