Ashford's Create Festival returned to Victoria Park for 24th year
10:38, 22 July 2019
updated: 11:23, 22 July 2019
Ashford's biggest festival has returned, with thousands of music fans taking to Victoria Park on Saturday.
The 24th Create Festival saw 13,000 visitors enjoying a raft of acts and attractions, with headliners The Lightning Seeds rocking the main stage with their top hit 'Three Lions'.
Nearly 40 international and local bands took part in the free festivities, including Cooper Stout from CBBC's Got What It Takes? and Jaz Ellington of The Voice fame.
Tokyo Tea Room, a psych pop four-piece from Kent who have been lauded by BBC Radio 6 and BBC Introducing, took to the Revelation Stage alongside The Fontantas, Marie White and Tall Poppies.
Ashford Rock Choir, Iona & Ben, 4x4 Bhangra and the Workplace Choir made up of staff from Ashford Borough Council made appearances on the Community Stage sponsored by County Square Shopping Centre.
An interactive eco-zone debuted this year, where visitors learned more about how and what to recycle.
Homemade food was sold by the traders from the town's farmers' market, and street performers entertained picnicking families.
A pyrotechnic display by the Hubert Fountain rounded off the day's events.
The next day, Ashford celebrated the 178th birthday of Mr George Harper - the man who gifted the fountain to the park.
Birthday cake races, parades, theatre and music was on offer to the well-wishers.
Cllr Peter Feacey, Ashford Borough Council's portfolio holder for culture, said he was delighted to see Create attract more than 13,000 people, with 7,000 people on site at any one time.
He also hailed the success of Create Platform, the week-long programme of events across Ashford that ranged from performance poets in pubs to a circus in the street.
He said: "Create Platform was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase even more of Ashford’s local talent and it certainly helped build the buzz of anticipation ahead of the main event in Victoria Park on Saturday.
"It’s thanks to the wholehearted support from local talent, businesses and sponsors that we are able to work together every year to deliver something as positive as this for our community to enjoy.”
To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.
