EAST Reading Festival is gearing up for a return to Palmer Park this summer.
The event celebrates the diversity of the community in east Reading, aimed at strengthening the connections between residents and organisations.
It brings with it two stages of performances, a food court, and stalls, with a redoubled focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impacts.
This year will see main stage performances from Reading Rock Choir, Clubbercise, and The Newtowners, while the spoken word stage will see performances from Progress Theatre, Dreading Poetry Slam, Poets’ Cafe, and Two Rivers Press.
It is part of the group of festivals and events collaborating under a new national initiative adopted by Reading Borough Council, which will see it sharing resources and in knowledge with other events about implementing greener operation practises.
Organisers are working on initiatives to reduce power consumption and waste production, including the use of refillable water stations and sustainable methods of travel.
The 12-month pilot is a collaboration with ten local authorities to test how the Green Events Code of Practice (GECOP) can be used to embed sustainability within local authority processes, co-funded by Arts Council England and participating authorities.
Matt Foster, committee member and festival volunteer, said: “Following another successful event in 2023, our second since the lockdown, we’re really excited to be welcoming people back to East Reading Festival 2024,”
“We received some wonderful feedback from last year’s festival and hope to build on that success this year.
“We have a wide range of stalls and a diverse performance schedule planned, there should definitely be something for everyone at this year’s event.”
He also thanked the volunteers and organisations, including sponsors Aurora Family, the Berkshire Music Trust, Berkshire Women’s Aid, Palmer Park Bowling Club, EAS Health and Wealth, Fab4All, Progress Theatre, The Quran Project, RG Spaces, and Stevie’s Kitchen.
Secure bicycle parking is available at Palmer Park with easy access to the site via the X4 and 17 bus routes
Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles and to take any recycling home so that it can be placed in their council recycling boxes.
East Reading Festival returns to Palmer Park on Sunday, June 23, from noon until 6pm, with free attendance.
Full details about the event as well as how to apply to take part are available via: eastreadingfestival.co.uk
