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Grantham’s Market Place comes alive with music and family fun




A family festival has brought live music and fun to a town market place for the first time.

Grantham Market Place came alive on Friday evening as hundreds gathered for the town’s inaugural family festival.

The open-air event featured local acts Becca Faye, Sons of Somnus and Duncan Fielding, followed by headliners RPJ Band, led by Rick Parfitt junior.

Rick Parfitt junior leads the RPJ Band on the Grantham stage. Photo: David Dawson.
Rick Parfitt junior leads the RPJ Band on the Grantham stage. Photo: David Dawson.

The crowd sang along to classic rock and pop anthems while children danced near the Market Cross.

Bars including Browns, Gravity and Tap & Tonic opened early, with festival-goers filling outdoor tables.

Business owners praised the event for energising the Market Place and supporting the early evening economy.

Families and friends relaxing in the sunshine during performances in the town centre. Photo: David Dawson.
Families and friends relaxing in the sunshine during performances in the town centre. Photo: David Dawson.

Joice Branco, attending with her children Vanessa, seven, and Tania, four, said: “Grantham needs more of this – it’s great.

“I come from Portugal and, when I go back, there is something on every week.

“It’s wonderful to see similar things happening here.”

Rick Parfitt junior and the band performing crowd favourites at the event. Photo: David Dawson.
Rick Parfitt junior and the band performing crowd favourites at the event. Photo: David Dawson.

Another visitor, Paula Beard, added: “I never imagined that Grantham Market Place could be used for something like this.

“It’s so much fun.”

Coun Paul Stokes (Ind), deputy leader of South Kesteven District Council and cabinet member for culture and leisure, called the festival “very impressive” and said it showed the Market Place’s potential.

Festivalgoers sing along with the RPJ Band during their headline set. Photo: David Dawson.
Festivalgoers sing along with the RPJ Band during their headline set. Photo: David Dawson.
Crowds gathered around the Market Cross to soak up the evening entertainment. Photo: David Dawson.
Crowds gathered around the Market Cross to soak up the evening entertainment. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Ross Jackson with Oliver, 3, and Katrina Jackson with Lara, 2, all from Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Ross Jackson with Oliver, 3, and Katrina Jackson with Lara, 2, all from Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
Local act Sons of Somnus performing at the family festival. Photo: David Dawson.
Local act Sons of Somnus performing at the family festival. Photo: David Dawson.
Alex Simons, Vlad Hnatyev and Will Simmons of Grantham at the event. Photo: David Dawson.
Alex Simons, Vlad Hnatyev and Will Simmons of Grantham at the event. Photo: David Dawson.
Festival headliners RPJ Band performing live in Grantham Market Place. Photo: David Dawson.
Festival headliners RPJ Band performing live in Grantham Market Place. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Daniel Done, John Turner, George Done, 9, Alfie Done, 5, Jack Turner, 8, and Katie Done of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Daniel Done, John Turner, George Done, 9, Alfie Done, 5, Jack Turner, 8, and Katie Done of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Jim and June Odee of Bicker, with Odeyne and Kark Odee of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Jim and June Odee of Bicker, with Odeyne and Kark Odee of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
Richard and Peggy Hill of Grantham taking in the entertainment. Photo: David Dawson.
Richard and Peggy Hill of Grantham taking in the entertainment. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Eliza Ibberson-Davis, Abigail Thomson and Elizabeth Simons of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Eliza Ibberson-Davis, Abigail Thomson and Elizabeth Simons of Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
The RPJ Band energises the crowd with a lively evening performance. Photo: David Dawson.
The RPJ Band energises the crowd with a lively evening performance. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Wendy Johnson and Jayne Bavin at the festival. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Wendy Johnson and Jayne Bavin at the festival. Photo: David Dawson.
The audience dancing and singing along as live music filled Grantham Market Place. Photo: David Dawson.
The audience dancing and singing along as live music filled Grantham Market Place. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Charlotte, Tim, Katie and Jess Spencer, all from Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
From left: Charlotte, Tim, Katie and Jess Spencer, all from Grantham. Photo: David Dawson.
Greg and Alice Arrowsmith enjoying the family festival atmosphere. Photo: David Dawson.
Greg and Alice Arrowsmith enjoying the family festival atmosphere. Photo: David Dawson.
Festivalgoers enjoying the music during Grantham's first family festival. Photo: David Dawson.
Festivalgoers enjoying the music during Grantham's first family festival. Photo: David Dawson.

“As always, there are lessons that can be learned, but people had a great time and the event provided a boost to the early evening economy in Grantham, with surrounding pubs busy,” he said.

SKDC staff also volunteered as marshals, contributing to the event’s smooth running.

More family events are planned, including Dinomania on August 17 and cinema on September 7.



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