Create Festival 2019
Posted on 10 July 2019Running between Monday 15th and Friday 19th July, Create Platform showcases an exciting programme of live arts events, fringe activities and happenings around the town and is an opportunity to showcase creativity and arts in the local area, through unique and exclusive experiences.
Alongside the variety of things to enjoy in the Town Centre, unique events and experiences will also be on the agenda at St Mary’s Church, the new Curious Brewery, Elwick Place and Park Mall, including:
- Interactive street theatre and dance performances in Park Mall
- Circus on the streets with a spoof performance of cult classic JAWS at Elwick Place
- Live DJ sets by legendary musicians Huey Morgan (of Fun Lovin’ Criminals fame) and Terry Morgan (of The Specials) at Revelation Ashford
- Street theatre on the bandstand
- An Artist’s Networking Event at the Picturehouse Cinema
- Poetry performances at Curious Brewery
Create Festival is already one of the South East’s biggest and long established free music festivals.
Now in its third year, Create Platform is all about extending the magic of Create Festival to the wider community, and building the excitement for the main event. This year’s offering is bigger than ever, and offers something for everyone.
Of the packed programme of events, Ashford Borough Council’s Arts & Cultural Industries Manager, Chris Dixon, said: “Create Platform is all part of an effort to make Ashford a creative place to be beyond just the Create weekend. It is really important for the growth of Create, as well as Ashford’s cultural offer, to extend beyond the one big day in the park.
“The introduction of Create Platform three years ago has allowed for more opportunities for local artists, as well as generated broader engagement from audiences, venues and sponsors.”
Create Festival
Following Create Platform, Kent festival-goers will be able to revel in their love of music and culture with an entire day of exciting performances and experiences at Create Festival.
Taking place in Victoria Park on Saturday 20th July, Create Festival is already one of the South East’s biggest and long established free music festivals. This year marks the 24th year of the festival and will be headlined by iconic Britpop band, The Lightning Seeds.
The Lightning Seeds are no strangers to wowing the crowds on the big stage, with worldwide arena tours and performances at some of the UK’s biggest festivals, including a stint on Glastonbury’s legendary Pyramid Stage in 2010. In 2014, the songs and career of frontman Ian Broudie were celebrated in a concert held at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
The introduction of Create Platform has allowed for more opportunities for local artists and generated broader engagement from audiences, venues and sponsors.
Chris Dixon, Ashford Borough Council’s Arts & Cultural Industries Manager
Some of their best known hits include Pure, Sense, Life of Riley, and Lucky You, The Lightning Seeds are now probably best known for their football anthem ‘Three Lions’ – which has become a No.1 hit single on three separate occasions, including during last year’s World Cup.
Alongside the four music stages, festival-goers can also enjoy local street food, children’s rides and entertainment, interactive theatre and refreshments from Ashford’s new neighbours, Curious Brewery.
Sustainability will form a big part of this year’s festival, with an interactive ‘eco zone’ in place, allowing residents and visitors to learn more about what and how to recycle. People will be able to take part in a series of cycle challenges, using pedal power to open recycling bins to find out more about what goes inside.
The eco zone will also be home to six giant letters, spelling out the word CREATE, which will provide the perfect selfie backdrop throughout the day. Each letter, which is made out of a cage and filled and decorated with single-use plastic items, has been worked on individually by six schools across the borough. Representatives from Plastic-free Ashford will also be on hand to talk about people about plastic alternatives.
Visitors to this year’s festival will also have the opportunity to see the town’s iconic Snowdogs once again, as several of them will be touring the grounds for the day.
Mr Harper’s Birthday
Following Create Platform and Create Festival, Ashford’s week of music and entertainment will culminate with Mr Harper’s Birthday Party in Victoria Park on Sunday July 21st. In December 1911, George Harper made an anonymous offer to present the Hubert Fountain to Victoria Park. Mr Harper’s Birthday Party is a family fun day which acknowledges and celebrates his gift with games, arts, workshops and music, as well as a traditional birthday cake race.
