Tameside is ready to rock at two-day festival

The borough will be rocking this weekend when the Tameside Rocks festival takes place in Hattersley.

It’s being held at the Active Ken Ward centre on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July. It’ll feature live bands, dance, healthy food and drink, and face painting.

Rocks has been organised by Shaun Higgins, Director of Health and Social Outcomes for Active Tameside.

He told us: "Four hundred places are available each day. The Saturday will be aimed at 12-16 year olds. There’ll be three main stage acts, face painting and glitter along with other cultural events, including a dance tent. We’re offering healthy food choices and a mocktail van to create a party atmosphere.”

Shaun added: "Sunday 31st will be more of a family day with George Michael and Abba tributes along with a DJ. There’ll be local artists performing. If this year’s event is a success we’ll extend it next year and organise similar events in Hyde Park and Stamford Park.

"We’re hoping it’ll be a success because there was a very low turnout for last year’s entertainment. Local kids have been telling us that there’s not much to do over the long summer holidays so we thought we’d give them a festival of their own.”

Four hundred tickets which are free are available for each day. If you register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tameside-rocks-youth-festival-tickets-373169188087 then you will be given a barcode. Just bring this along on the day for the free festival.

Listen to more about the Tameside Rocks festival from Shaun speaking to our reporter Gill Garston below...