A festival will take over the heart of a town next month when “the biggest event to happen to Baldock” kicks off.

Now in its fifth year, the Balstock Festival will massively expand from its home at The Engine this year to take over another six pubs, the High Street and St Mary’s Church with sixty bands over the weekend of September 10 to 12.

“This is the biggest single event to happen to happen to Baldock in quite some time,” festival organiser, Graham La Roche, said. “It’s great to see so many businesses and organisations working together for a good cause. I’d love to see every pub, venue and the High Street brimming with people eager to enjoy the music and revel in Baldock’s historical grandeur.”

Highlights include My Pet Junkie, The October Game, Joanovarc, Echo Lake, Efferus, The Gavels, Kate Is The Decoy, Gallows Hill, The Goos and The Covenant Praise Community Choir, as well as an under-21 battle of the bands, DJs and a Guitar Hero competition.

For the full band line-up and details of how to enter the battle of the bands and Guitar Hero competitions go to www.balstock.com

The free festival is in aid of St Mary’s Church spire fund, so don’t ignore those buckets.

Friday night

The Engine: Main stage

The Boot: DJ stage

The Orange Tree: Acoustic stage

Saturday

The Engine: Main stage: 2pm-close

High St: Lunar Rock stage: battle of the young bands, noon–7pm

Rose & Crown: Guitar Hero tournament 2pm

White Lion: Folk stage, 7pm-close

St Marys Church: Gospel stage, afternoon

Sunday

The Engine: Main stage: 3pm-close

Rose & Crown: Punk/alternative stage, 4pm-8pm

White Hart: Acoustic stage 5pm-8pm

Hen & Chickens: Covers band stage, 3pm-8pm

The Orange Tree: Jazz/big band, afternoon