The summer sunshine has been beaming down on another packed Ipswich Music Day at Christchurch Park, as thousands have gathered for a celebration of Suffolk’s finest musicians.
The annual event, now in its 27th year, features more than 60 bands gracing nine stages, all being lapped up by more than 35,000 eager park-visitors.
As well as the music, local food and drink stalls were open as well as fairground rides and inflatable challenges to help seal the day as one of the fixtures on the Ipswich event calendar and the biggest free music festival in the country.
Mark Whiting, operations manager for commercial development at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It’s been fantastic, the weather has been so good.
“We have had people coming in right from the start and all the stages have been well attended.
“We are really proud of the fact it is the biggest free music festival in the country, and we look to heavily promote that because it is something we are really proud of – it clearly means something for the people of Ipswich.”
The day comes off the back of a successful open air cinema day which ended up attracting more people than expected, and kicks off a packed summer schedule which features the Global Rhythms and Indian Mela celebrations, as well as the Maritime Festival.
Following the events in Manchester, security had been upped for the gig which caused some queues early on, but the borough council staff said it was vital people felt comfortable and safe.
Rosalynn English, 37, who attended with partner Paul said: “It’s such an amazing event that is put on for free for the people of Ipswich, it is really nice. We are so lucky to have that so we come every year.”
Tom Lehkyj, 26, added: “It’s a nice day with good music, you get to see up and coming bands and some that have been going for a while, it’s about having a family day out.”
Martin Webb, who was helping run the Grapevine Stage, said he hoped it could help bring more people into gigs in the town centre to support live music.
“You look around and look at all the bands and what is going on and it is a great reflection on the local music scene,” he added.
“Now we want all of these people to come out twice a month and enjoy these musicians, and support our live music scene.”
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