The Beer & Country Festival will take over Wood Street and Victoria Road from 12pm until 5pm on Sunday 9th August.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the family event, which will feature live country music, American-style street food, children’s entertainment and a mechanical rodeo bull.
It marks the first summer event organised by the Old Town Business Association to span both Wood Street and Victoria Road.
View this post on Instagram
The expansion follows the success of last year’s Summer Socials, which were introduced following the closure of Devizes Road by the gas company Wales & West following necessary gas works.
Those events were initially created to support businesses during a challenging period, but proved popular with residents and visitors.
The expansion is possible thanks to new sponsors The Victoria (commonly known as The Vic) covering the cost of the main stage, Deacons Jewellery and Dominos Pizza Old Town.
Kris Talikowski, who organises Old Town events, said:
“When we started these events, I never imagined we’d need to expand onto a second street. That’s only happened because people have really got behind them. It’s fantastic to see how they’ve grown and we’re incredibly grateful for the support from residents, visitors, our businesses, volunteers and South Swindon Parish Council.
“Every event we organise is about giving people another reason to visit Old Town, support local independent businesses and spend time together as a community. Expanding onto Victoria Road is a really exciting milestone for us.”
Live country music will be performed throughout the afternoon on an outdoor stage at The Victoria.
MJ Reynolds will perform at 1pm, followed by Britt & The Backbeat at 1.45pm and JB & The Mojo Makers at 2.30pm.
View this post on Instagram
Hicktown Breakout will take to the stage at 3.30pm before performing again at 4.25pm.
A second stage on Wood Street will also host live performances throughout the afternoon, with Tom Cornell, Rob Lear, Andy Maggs and Sue Harding on the line-up. Music on the Wood Street stage will run from 1pm until 5pm.
Steven Hill Funfairs will provide children’s rides and trampolines, while visitors will also be able to try their hand at riding a mechanical rodeo bull.
American-inspired food, including barbecue flavours, will be available alongside offerings from Old Town’s independent pubs, cafés and food businesses.
Additional outdoor seating will also be provided across Wood Street and Victoria Road by venues.
Entry to the Beer & Country Festival is free, but organisers are asking visitors to consider making a £2 donation per person on arrival.
The money will contribute towards the costs involved in Old Town’s six events over the year.
The festival is the first of three major free events planned in Old Town during August.
UkraineFest will return to Town Gardens on Saturday 22nd August, marking its fourth year and celebrating Swindon’s twinning with Rivne.
The World Street Foods Festival will then take over Wood Street and Victoria Road on Sunday 30th August.
