Newark Festival 2024 considered a success

Thousands of people brought the town centre to life for a ‘tremendously successful festival’ over the bank holiday weekend.

From Saturday (August 24) until Monday (August 26), the streets of Newark came alive in a festival programme designed to showcase musical talent from the area and provide days of entertainment and joy, with more than 70 musical acts performing across the town.

Ian Harrison, the lead organiser from Newark Town Council said: “The atmosphere throughout the three days was totally joyous, with no incidents but plenty of smiles and compliments.

“I think Newark can again be proud that we continue to punch above our weight as a market town, with events throughout the year and unique venues such as the Castle grounds and the Market Place.

“It was a brilliant three days, and we thank the 70 musical acts and the thousands that attended.

“The Castle grounds were again a perfect arena for showcasing the amazing talent we have in Newark and the numbers attending exceeded our expectation.

“We wanted to emphasise local community, and I think we succeeded.”

Inspire Music and Nottinghamshire Music Hub also ran a young musicians workshop, which gave hundreds of people a chance to try new instruments at their hub in Buttermarket.

On Saturday, Newark Castle hosted live music, performances, fun activities, classes and workshops, including a ‘joining a band’ workshop, handmade theatre with the Bird Show, and live music from the Retronauts and Parallel States.

At the Castle, there were also bouncy castles, face painting, poetry and morning, afternoon and evening performances for all ages, from families with young children to adults.

The Newark Hustle featured more than 50 bands, solo acts and musical ensembles from across Nottinghamshire who performed at 12 different live music venues on Saturday night, including Newark’s Parish Church, the Castle and Falcon, The Navigation, Fox and Crown, Loose Cannon, Prince Rupert, Organ Grinder, Governors House, Ann et Vin, The Duck, Flying Circus, and Not My Monkey.

Organisers worked with promoters from Nottingham, I’m Not From London and the Hustle Collective, to help source talented artists from across the county and a variety of genres, from rock to acoustic, classical, jazz and soul.

Will Robinson, I’m Not From London promoter, said: “This is the third year of the festival and it is great to see it come to life, I hope they do it next year, I think everyone had a really good time.

“It is really nice to have a free festival with people from Nottingham where the bands are all getting paid and it is free for visitors and gives the bands a chance to play outside their home city but it is just around the corner.

“It gets people the chance to know names that they probably wouldn’t see playing otherwise.”

Ian Harrison added: “On Saturday evening, the musical tour around 12 hospitality venues, again was a great success with all venues full.

“To arrange 55 musical acts across the town at the same time is not an easy task but with the expertise of promoting partners from Nottingham, Hockley Hustle, and I’m Not from London it worked and I had the challenging pleasure of visiting all of the venues and all were full.

“My thanks also to Dave Duddles from the Navigation and Tom Collier for their help in producing a varied and exciting line-up.”

The live music continued on Sunday at Newark Castle, with artists including James Manners, Steelgen, Highway Hunkies, and Free Spirit showcasing their musical talents.

This year’s festival ended on Bank Holiday Monday (August 26), after a packed fun day with stage acts, circus performers, puppets, and street entertainers.

The Brass Band Crescendo led the grand finale with a synchronised ending of music, lasers, fire projection, and to a surprise firework display over the curtain wall of the castle.

Ian added: “Following so soon after the beach, it was a challenge for the Town Council to stage a festival but with help and expertise from partners, we did it.

“We now look forward to the Lego Brick show on September 7 and the various events being delivered by Newark Creates and of course, Christmas with the Lights Switch On on November 24 and the Steampunk Christmas Markets on December 7 and 8.”