Last weekend Barking and Dagenham Council’s free festival weekender was attended by over 16,000 residents as the One Borough Festival and the Roundhouse Music Festival came to Parsloes Park in Dagenham.

The Summer of Festivals Weekender was two days of jam-packed music and entertainment, where locals came to dance, sing and enjoy everything the festivals had to offer.

At the One Borough Festival on Saturday 23 July, there was a celebration of 20 years of activism with anti-racism group, Love Music Hate Racism who curated the live stage. Giving music fans the chance to hear the likes of British acid jazz legends, Incognito and ska band The Beat. Also taking to the stage was long-standing London grime artist Manga Saint Hilare, up-and-coming rapper, Cristale, jazz musician and poet Alabaster Deplume and Basil Gabbidon from the roots reggae band, Steel Pulse. 

 

Then at the Roundhouse Music Festival on Sunday 24 July, gig-goers rocked out to 60s band, The Animals, rock and roll group Showaddywaddy and all-female rock band Rock Goddess. Dave Finnegan’s Commitments and tribute act, The Real Magic Queen, also took to the stage. Last year's Studio 3 Arts Roundhouse Unsigned champions Outland returned, and Jordan Hemmingway was announced as this year's worthy winner!

We offered something for everyone, whether that be fantastic live music, high adrenaline displays or lots of free family activities, we always make sure we put on an exciting event year after year. It was great to once again pair with Love Music Hate Racism and to also bring back some of those Town Show memories

Both events were packed with entertainment and fun for all the family, including high-adrenaline acts, fairground rides and much more! This also included a wedding party, who came to celebrate at the One Borough Festival after their ceremony!

There was also a trip down memory lane as 70 years since the first Dagenham Town Show was celebrated. A high-flying ‘Thrills and Spills’ arena this year was dedicated to the town show with the ‘Talk of the Town…Show’, sharing resident’s favourite memories and talking to local historians.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “After what has been a difficult and upsetting time for some of our residents deeply affected by the Beam Parklands Fire last week, the Summer of Festivals Weekender was, I hope, a nice opportunity for residents to be with family, friends and neighbours. 

 

“We offered something for everyone, whether that be fantastic live music, high adrenaline displays or lots of free family activities, we always make sure we put on an exciting event year after year. It was great to once again pair with Love Music Hate Racism and to also bring back some of those Town Show memories.”

Check out the forthcoming events on our Summer of Festivals programme, including the Steam and Cider Fair taking place on Saturday 10 September - www.lbbd.gov.uk/summer-of-festivals