New look for Somerton Festival

Plans for Somerton’s music and arts festival are already underway for July 2023. As a precursor, the Art & Photography exhibition will take place at the Parish Rooms from 27th May to 3rd June, with an array of exhibitions and work shops spanning a wide range of arts and crafts. The exhibition attracted over 1000 visitors in 2022 and the organisers are looking to expand on this success with more events in more venues across the town.

The main festival will kick off on 30th June with events at venues throughout Somerton as well as music at many of the local hostelries.  “We have lots of exciting events in store,” says festival chairman Cliff Bassett. “Details of all our events will be added to our website as soon as they are confirmed, along with details of how to purchase tickets.”

The festival programme will culminate Somerstock, Somerton’s family-friendly music festival, which this year will include an additional evening of music on the Friday night. Somertock will take place at the Recreation Ground on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July. “We will be offering a limited number of Tier 1 tickets at budget prices in time for Christmas” adds Bassett. These super early bird tickets will be available from 4th December at www.somerstock.com and details of the bands will also appear on the site as soon as they are confirmed.

The Somerton Music & Arts Festival, which includes Somerstock, is a not-for-profit event run by a small team of unpaid volunteers to benefit the local community. The festival raises money for local charities and organisations which have included St Margaret’s Hospice, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Somerton Sports and Recreation Ground. The organisers would welcome any new volunteers who would like to help with the organisation of events or the running of the festival. Anyone wishing to get involved should contact volunteers@somertonartsfestival.co.uk.