This week sees the Bluecote Meadow on Otley Road in Harrogate, transformed into a magical kingdom ahead of the long-awaited second coming of Harrogate’s alternative Dragongate Festival.
With a line up that boasts the town’s best loved musicians, a programme bursting with free kids activities and even a magic far away tree, everything’s in place for what promises to be an enchanting Jubilee weekend – even the weather forecast is looking good!
The three-day event kicks off at 5.00pm on Friday 1st June with a big night of Metal on the main stage from local legends Waking Theo, Subject Seven and Sharkbait, juxtaposed with dub step and drum and bass in the Red Dragon Dance Tent, and powerful performances in the Ont’ sofa’ acoustic stage by Farrah and Twelve Angry Men.
The family fun starts early on Saturday Morning with kids crafts, magical activities, circus skills workshops from Butterfingers and more. Work up an appetite with ‘Knights of the Round Table’ themed jousting or the Dragongate Dance Competition, then with wood fired vegetarian pizzas, a hog roast, and the Copper Dragon Bar boasting six real ales all on site, there’ll be a feast fit for King Arthur himself.
Then Saturday’s entertainment brings Kassius, Birdman Rallies and
Vicky Whelan to the main stage – not to mention the return of
Harrogate’s much loved FIRE party to the dance tent featuring big
beats and much merriment. Sunday sees the Paul Middleton Band headline
a long list of local favourites like the Pete Oliver Band and the Red
dragon dance tent features Dj Bam and Fuzzy Logic.
In amongst the music, the full programme also boasts a generous helping of spoken word, comedy, and magical surprises. There’ll be trolls in residency, and you’re guaranteed to see some festival fairies. And if it all gets too exciting, unwind and relax in the beautiful healing space.
In amongst the preparations, festival organiser Alan Smyth said:
Bluecote Meadow is a really beautiful and easily accessible site, and we’ve been preparing for months to make it even more enchanting for the Dragongate Weekend. We hope the festival will be a great chance for local people to relax and unwind with friends and family, let the kids have a ball and enjoy some of Yorkshire’s finest music into the bargain.
Full details of the Dragongate Festival programme can be found online at www.dragongatefestival.co.uk
A limited number of weekend tickets and day passes are still available, and can be bought through the website or from local outlets such as Rock Steady Music, Muso and Ripon Music Supplies.
