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Bish Bash 2022 We're back! And Stortford's Own Music Festival is 20!
After two amazingly dull years, we are back in 2022 and bigger and better than ever for Bish Bash, which this year coincides with the extra-long Jubilee Holiday
2022 heralds our 20th Stortford Music Festival (aka the Bish Bash). It's so much more than just an event for music fans - it's a big hit on the town's community calendar, with hundreds of families flocking to Sworder's Field over a Bank Holiday weekend - which this year coincides with the Jubilee weekend. Very confusing, so put Friday 3 June and Saturday 4 June in your calendars now folks!
We are now deep into the festival planning season and thought we'd share a sneak preview as plans develop through a regular blog that talks through what we are planning.
For those unfamiliar Bish Bash is a community, not-for-profit music festival that typically attracts up to 6000 people to our venue on Sworder's Field right in the town centre. Yes, that's right - we don't make money - it's run by a volunteer committee of like-minded people, young and old, driven by a common desire to give the people of the Stortford area a good time. We give up our time, energy - and, sometimes, peace of mind - all for free. Other than the headline acts, no individuals profit from the festival - but the community is richer for it, so please play your part and come on down!
In 2019 we had terrible weather, with some bands even playing in sleet and hail, and we lost money. In 2020 we had an online festival event which was well supported by many local bands, and of course we all stayed home in 2021. Many thanks and much kudos goes to those people in the community and local businesses that dug deep over the past few years and donated the £10,080 that kept us going over two empty years and have helped us kickstart finances for 2022. Thank you friends.
We've decided to build on the successful format of previous years, with three stages plus a drama/comedy tent and then food and other vendors. In addition to live music and great food we are planning a gin bar, a real-ale tent, a dedicated dance tent, comedy, kids entertainment, and various community stalls. So it's the festival that you know and love, only better!
Right now, we are finalising terms with our headline acts. We are really excited by some of the amazing prospects that we are lining up. Make sure you "Like" our Facebook page to get upcoming announcements, and be prepared to spread the word!
Ticket prices will be in line with 2019 prices and there are discounts for advance bookings - so watch out in early February for online ticket sales. We are also planning a number of fund-raising events leading up to the festival, so keep an eye on Facebook and you can join us ahead of the main party.
You can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/stortfest and at our own website here: https://www.stortfordmusicfestival.org.uk/
As always, our efforts benefit from business community sponsors, so if you're a local company and would like the opportunity to promote yourselves and be part of all the fun, please get in touch: Sponsorship@stortfordmusicfestival.org.uk