Get ready to rock at Bishop's Stortford's new food and music festival
Grove Cottage in the Park – an exciting new food and music festival – will feature comedy from Bishop’s Stortford stand-up star Paddy Lennox.
Queen II, the UK’s premier Queen tribute band, will also rock the event in Sworder’s Field on Saturday, September 3.
The shindig is being organised by charity Grove Cottage, the home of Mencap in London Road, which provides social and educational activities for people of all ages with learning disabilities.
The inaugural Grove Cottage in the Park builds on the success of the annual Festival of Flavour. The gastronomic delights begin at noon and visitors will have a wide variety of food and drink stalls to explore until 5pm, including Ques Idea Mexican Kitchen, Smok’n Greek, Amerio’s Bar, Real Lemonade and Waffle & Floss.
There will also be live music from local bands, as well as a Kids’ Zone to entertain younger members of the family.
The event continues from 6pm with Grove Will Rock You! - an evening of entertainment including more live performances from local acts with Queen II headlining. The band will showcase hits from every decade of Queen’s musical legacy.
Paddy Lennox, who runs the Laughing Bishops comedy club at the United Reformed Church Hall, takes centre stage before the fun stops at 10.30pm.
The new event is being sponsored by Countryside, the developer of St James’ Park, a 750-home estate off Whittington Way.
Martin Leach, managing director, strategic land and major projects, said: “Developing strong relationships within the communities in which we work is a key priority for us and we’re delighted to be sponsoring Grove Cottage in the Park which has such wide appeal for local residents. We hope that everyone has a great time, whilst helping to raise much-needed funds to enable Grove Cottage to continue its invaluable work in Bishop’s Stortford, supporting its members and their families”.
Jeannie Philip, the charity’s community fundraising manager, added: “We are so grateful to Countryside for coming on board as our main sponsor, their support has allowed us to think big this year with the addition of evening entertainment.
“We are really excited by this new event format and hope to raise even more money to enable us to continue providing services to those who need us, whilst bringing a new and exciting event to Bishop’s Stortford. We rely heavily on the support of the community - so events like these an invaluable to us.”
Grove Cottage is looking for local bands and acts to perform throughout the day and appealing for volunteers to marshal the event. To help, email events@mencapgrovecottage.org
Entry to the daytime food festival is £5 for adults and free for children. Tickets for Grove Will Rock You! are £25 per person - which also includes access to the Festival of Flavour.
To book tickets see https://www.mencapgrovecottage.org/events/food-and-drink-festival-2/