A West Cumbrian pub is getting ready to host a mini music festival.
Workington’s Royal George, on Cross Hill, is preparing to host Georgefest, a one day mini music festival taking place this Sunday April 5 from midday until 9.30pm.
The festival will take place at the pub and in its carpark and will feature nine local bands on an outdoor stage as well as offering a burger van, ice cream van, cake stall and outdoor bar.
Pub owner Colin Glaister said the idea to set up Georgefest came from a desire to put on an event to support local businesses and musicians in the town.
Colin and his family took over the pub late last year and have been working to revamp the pub since.
He said: “There’s not many events in Workington in music festival style, so we wanted to bring something new to the town for all ages.
“We’re new to the pub industry and we thought it would be good chance to bring local people and businesses together.
“Obviously we’ve lost festivals like Solfest and Cockrock, so we thought let’s see if we can make something happen here.”
Bands and musicians playing at Georgefest will include Shelbie, Scott Pearson, Ben Akehurst, Hayden Sorrenson, Delta Geckos, Karma Theif, Harrison Miles, Adam Grierson.
West Cumbria Search and Rescue will also provide a first aid tent at the festival.
Colin added: “It’s all local acts and it’s all about supporting local and the council have been very supportive and helpful through the planning.
“We’ll have music from country and western to up beat rock and roll, your 80s and 90s and dance pop music, we’re trying to cater for everybody.
“It’ll be suitable for families, kids and we have disabled access. People can chill out with their family and there’s seats inside or outside or people can dance the night away, there’s options for everyone.
“It’ll hopefully be an all round good day out.”
Wet weather arrangements are also in place and ponchos will be on sale on the day.
Colin said: “We’ll have a local scaffolding company come to set up the stage on Saturday afternoon and it’s all under cover for the Cumbrian weather, but we’re hoping it will be nice.”
Colin added that the pub team are also hoping to host more mini music festivals in the future.
He said: “We’re hoping to start planning an August bank holiday festival after this one and start something new in the area. It can only ever get bigger and better.
“But we’ve had some great support from local people for the pub and lots of feedback and people saying we’ve done a fantastic job of the inside.
“We’ve totally transformed our beer garden and we’re doing whatever we can whenever we can to enhance the place.”
Tickets will fund the festival and cost £15 for adults, £10 for children and children under six go free. Tickets will be available on the door.
The outdoor bar will be cash only but card payments will be accepted inside the pub.
