Emergency Break

Rock in the Park, which will be supported by The Practice Roomz, promising an electrifying atmosphere with twin stages for music enthusiasts of all ages. Between 1996 and 2007 'Rock in the Park' was a much loved Stevenage event. Taking place in Fairlands Valley Park, it grew from a small concert with about 200 attendees to a yearly fun day for thousands of people enjoying a free family day out. Many local bands performed on the bandstand stage and many local people worked hard as volunteers to make the event happen. Sadly the day became a victim of its own success when it proved impossible for volunteers to continue to deliver such a popular event, within the physical constraints of the Fairlands location, to the public safety standards demanded today - and to keep it free too. But many people, including the Festival, have never given up on being able to bring back something like Rock in the Park to Stevenage. For the past three years Stevenage Borough Council has worked with local recording studio The Practice Roomz to introduce a music stage to another well-loved local event - Stevenage Day. And last year Stevenage Festival has joined with them to inject a bit more of the old Rock in the Park magic. Although the Festival only runs every two years we have supported Rock in the Park each year it has run as part of Stevenage Day. So, as ever, this year it was in a park (albeit a different one than the original park), it was still free and it did have a great rock line-up. We bring together the best of our local music talent on two great sound stages, finishing with a great headliner to close the event. This year it was be Hot Mess. The hope for the day is always - "So come along and spend a lazy June Sunday afternoon sitting on the grass with your friends and family with a cold drink in your hand, listening to Stevenage bands old and new. Bring a picnic, enjoy the stalls, kids rides and entertainment that Stevenage Day has to offer and have a great day out." This year too we had Great weather (DRY!) and great music on two stages. We'd like to get bigger and better in future years - more bands, more facilities, but we can only do this and keep it free if we all work together. If you loved Rock in the Park this year then please support us with this step towards building it back to its past glory. If you think Stevenage needs events like this then tell your friends, tell your local Councillors, tell everyone! And, of course, come to as many Festival events in the Gordon Craig Theatre as you can - any money we make gets ploughed back into things like RITP and better events.