Melksham is gearing up for a summer of fun, with a packed programme of live music, family-friendly entertainment, and much-loved community events taking place across the town.
Highlights include the return of the Shambles Festival and the annual Carnival, two new festivals this year — Wiltshire Throwback Festival and LibbyFest — and the ever-popular Food and River Festival, all set to offer something for everyone this summer.
Shambles Festival
Returning for its third year, Shambles Festival is a dance music event held across two days, Friday 16th May and Saturday 17th May.
There is a Live Band Night on 16th May which will feature two live bands, Muttley and Wet Franc playing indie rock and Brit Pop music whilst Shambles Festival on 17th May will feature over 25 DJs across two stages playing dance music.
Both events will feature a festival tent bar, stalls for local traders and charities as well as lots of festival themed decoration across the site.
Gates open for the Live Band Night at 6.30pm on Friday and Shambles Festival will open the following day at 12pm on Saturday. Both events finish at 10.30pm.
Organiser James Wilkins said, “I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that grassroots music events like this go ahead in rural places like Melksham. All too often people in the town complain that there isn’t enough to do and these events provide an opportunity for cultural celebration, economic activity and tourism whilst bringing people together and benefiting local musicians, businesses, and the wider community.”
Wiltshire Throwback Festival
Melksham is set to host Wiltshire’s first-ever throwback festival at Oakfield Stadium from 20th to 21st June, with a line-up of original renowned artists from the 80s, 90s and 00s.
The exciting line-up includes performances by Boney M, Bad Manners, Dick and Dom, Artful Dodger, Blazin Squad and Tinchy Stryder, So Solid Crew, 911 and many more.
Organised by JarBoom Ltd, the directors, Gary Cooke and Nico Menghini, say this event is something Wiltshire has always needed.
LibbyFest
This new festival will be held on Saturday 28th June at Melksham Liberal Club and includes performances by Zac Ware, a guitarist from The Proclaimers; Junkyard Dogs; FoolLizzy; Tin Shack Band; and more.
The festival will run from 1pm, and from 9pm it will be over-18s only.
Entry is donation-based at the door and all proceeds — including from food stalls — will go to the Emma Rodger Foundation, which raises funds for cancer services at the Royal United Hospital in memory of local woman Emma Rodger, who died from cancer in April 2022.
Carnival
Following last year’s success, the annual Carnival will return on Saturday 5th July with all the usual glitz and glitter and a few new surprises.
The event is free and organisers encourage any individual, group, club, team or business to take part and showcase their passions and skills.,
Organisers say, “We are excited to bring the community another event that creates lasting memories and encourages families to spend the evening together as they watch what the town has to offer.”
Food and River Festival
Taking place over the last weekend of August, the annual Food and River Festival will return on 30th and 31st with an eclectic mix of local food, drinks and entertainment.
Held in the King George V Park, there are already over 90 stalls of local vendors already booked for the event.
New this year, there will also be a stage to host the entertainment rather than the usual marquee; hay bales will be placed in front of the stage for festival-goers to perch upon whilst watching the entertainment.
The river is also a feature of the festival, hosting boat rides run by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. The Wiltshire Canoe Club will also be showcasing displays and demonstrations on the river for all to enjoy.
Pictured: Last year’s Food and River Festival
