Parkfest – Friday 20th July 6.30-11pm • Party in the park – Saturday 21st July 1-10.45pm • Family fun day – Saturday 28th July 12-5pm • Carnival – Saturday 28th July 6pm
EXCITEMENT is reaching fever-pitch for Melksham’s upcoming summer extravaganza – Parkfest, Party in the Park, Melksham Carnival and Family Fun Day – providing a line-up packed full of entertainment for all the family over the next two weekends.
Kicking things off this weekend is the Melksham Music Festival, which is hosting two spectacular events.
First up this Friday, 20th July, is the brand new event, ParkFest, with music from a local band and a top-class Oasis tribute act. The next day, Saturday 21st July, sees the return of the ever popular Party in the Park, now in its 19th year, with music, stalls, rides and entertainment for all the family.
Not giving any time for the dust to settle, Melksham will come alive again the following week for Melksham Carnival, alongside the Family Fun Day on Saturday 28th July. Organisers of the events say there’s something for everyone and they’re not to be missed!
ParkFest and Party in the Park line-up
PARKFEST – RUNNING ORDER
6.30pm Gates open
7.30pm Local Heroes
9.15pm The Oasis Experience
11.00pm Finish
PARTY IN THE PARK
1.00pm Gates open
1.30pm Sackful of Sovereigns
2.30pm Sultans of Swingers
3.50pm PSG Choir
4.35pm Mother Pluckers
5.25pm Sarah Deer
6.15pm Innes Sibun
7.40pm Stoned F
9.00pm Bootleg Bee Gees
10.30pm Fireworks
10.45pm Finish
Melksham’s BIG Summer party
ParkFest – Friday 20th July
Making its debut this year in the Melksham events calendar, ParkFest will take place in the King George V playing field from 6.30pm to 11pm.
Melksham Music Festival committee member, Bruce Burry says, “This is the first year of ParkFest – Party in the Park has been growing since 2000 and the time felt right to try and expand the event over two days. We’re hoping that it will be a great success.
“The evening is for over 16s, so we have a more adult-influenced line-up with our headliner The Oasis Experience and local band, Local Heroes.
“The Oasis Experience are supposed to be the best Oasis tribute act around – they often play in Manchester, the home of Oasis, and they go down a storm. They are almost like the real thing! It’s going to be a fantastic evening with food on sale and a licensed bar thanks to Box Steam Brewery, and the concert should help people to get in the mood for Party in the Park the next day. Let’s get the party started!”
Party in the Park – Saturday 21st July
Following ParkFest’s debut, Party in the Park returns the next day in the King George V playing field from 1pm to 10.45pm.
“At Party in the Park, as always we have lots of local talent in the arena and on the main stage for everyone to enjoy,” says Bruce.
“One of the special guests performing on the day is Innes Sibun, who is a fantastic guitarist that has toured with Robert Plant in his band. It’s a real coup to have him perform on the main stage.
“Once again, we have another top tribute act as our headliner. All the family are going to enjoy the Bootleg Bee Gees – everyone, young or old, knows at least one song by the Bee Gees!
“Around the arena we have a lot more stalls than previous years – lots of companies, local clubs and organisations will be there to talk to people and promote their cause.
“Also taking place in the arena are BMX stunt shows – these are people who have won competitions, so people can expect some show-stopping entertainment. There is also a giant deckchair that is perfect for the whole family to sit in and take a fun selfie or photo to remember the day. There will be mascots walking around, giving kids the chance to have their photo taken with their favourite character from Paw Patrol.
“Families will also be able to enjoy a mobile cave experience, with 90 foot of tunnelling to explore; the usual inflatables and children’s rides; and for over 14s, a Segway experience.
“New this year is Ferret World, which is something I’m looking forward to. There will be ferret displays and workshops, and you will be able to handle them, take photos and race the ferrets in tunnels. How fast can a ferret go?!
“Closing the day will be the fireworks, which will be more spectacular this year – there will be no ground fireworks, it will be all in the air display, so be prepared to look up to the sky and watch the sky come alive!
“Come along and support us, it will be a great day for all the family – bring your picnics, sit back and enjoy the show!”
Carnival and Family Fun Day- Saturday 28th July
Before the community lines the streets in anticipation for the carnival procession, Melksham residents can enjoy an afternoon of entertainment at the Family Fun Day in King George V playing field from 12pm to 5pm.
There will be an array of stalls, entertainers, carnival royalty, charity stalls, ice cream trucks, plus refreshments. Also taking place is a fun dog show and the bonnie baby competition. Everyone is encouraged to pack a picnic, bring their friends and family and enjoy the afternoon. With the town warmed up and ready for action, the carnival procession will take to the streets from 6pm.
Carnival committee member, Christine York said, “We are very excited for this year’s carnival procession, it’s looking like it will be one to remember! There will be some big surprises on the day – several new groups have come forward to take part and I am very intrigued to see what they have in store for the procession.
“Hopefully the good weather that we are having will continue and we won’t see a repeat of the rain from last year. But no matter what the weather, the town always comes out to support the carnival – so we hope to see the streets full of people of all ages.
“Please bring along your pennies for the collection boxes – all money collected goes back into the carnival. We couldn’t run this event without people’s donations and the sponsorship from local businesses. So please look out for bucket collectors on the day.”
There’s still time to get involved!
FINAL preparations for Melksham Carnival 2018 are being made but there’s still plenty of time to be involved!
Melksham Carnival committee member Christine York said, “Entries are open for the carnival procession so if you would like to have a float, download a form off our website. The carnival procession is an excellent way to highlight your business, charity or organisation.
Join the fun!
“Even if you are an individual, don’t be shy, you will be most welcome to come and join in the fun!
“If you are busy preparing your float, please let us know and return your form to us. Quite a few new floats have entered this year and we can’t wait to see what people have created. We advise people to let us know if they would like to take part in the procession by the end of day on Monday 23rd July.
Family
Fun Day
“There’s also still time to have a stall at the Family Fun Day. If you would like to have a stall then please do get in touch with us as soon as possible because we expect spaces to go quickly.
“We are really looking forward to the Family Fun Day and we would love to see as many people there as possible
Procession route
MAKE sure you don’t miss any of the carnival action this year with this handy guide to the procession route.
The Melksham Carnival procession on Saturday 28th July will start at 6pm.
The procession will leave the Cooper-Avon car park travelling through Bath Road and Bank Street before turning left into Lowbourne, then right into Ruskin Avenue and joining Pembroke Road. It will then turn right into Coronation Road before turning right into Spa Road. The procession will then continue down the High Street to return to the Cooper-Avon car park via Bank Street and Bath Road.
Please note: Melksham Carnival covers approximately 1.7 miles and can take up to two hours to complete. To help the more energetic entries, Coronation Road has been designated an optional rest point where performers such as dancers, twirlers, etc will be allowed to walk rather than perform if they wish to take a breather.
The roads will be closed on a rolling closure basis between 5.30pm and 8.30pm.
