More Rock and Bowl in Market Drayton this weekend
Scores of Shropshire musicians and bands from around the world will descend on Market Drayton this weekend, as a popular independent music festival returns with a bang.
Market Drayton's Rock and Bowl Festival will see a dozen bands each day take to two stages in the town's picnic area, in the event's 11th year.
Tickets are still available on the gate, although organiser Laurence Payne said that they have been selling at a rate of almost 1,500 a day.
He said that though it has grown exponentially since beginning at the back of the Coach and Horses pub in 2009, the team that runs it every year wanted it to maintain its close links to its Shropshire origins.
Bands from around the county will mix with performers who have travelled from Liverpool, London and even Austria.
Mr Payne said: "This is a community event, and that community gets bigger as people come from further and further afield.
"We want to stick close to our roots. You don't have to go too far for some excellent musicians.
"The quality of the line-up is exceptional, we have got a nice balance of original bands and cover bands.
"I'm not sure about the forecast, but I'm not as stressed about that as I used to be.
"I want to thank the volunteers and the sponsors as much as possible. You would struggle without the sponsors, and you would never do it without the volunteers, they're excellent. They should know they are appreciated."
The festival will take over the picnic area near the town's swimming pool on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For the first time, camping is available to attendees at a nearby field.
For more information visit rockandbowlfestival.com
