THE party is about to begin — Okehampton Arts and Music Festival kicks off on Monday and the legendary Roy Wood rocks into town with his army for an explosive concert next Friday, July 19.
Festival chairman Alan King says former Wizzard man Roy Wood is delighted to be playing at the Sports Hall.
'He enjoys doing arts festivals. He has done all the big arenas and Top of the Pops. Now he is about sharing his music with a smaller group of 600 to 700 people,' he said.
'We don't get major performers like this coming to Okehampton. This is about getting close to the music. Roy Wood will have a ten-piece band with him so this is about experiencing the atmosphere of a live gig close up.'
So that everyone knows about the festival events, Alan and his team have posted leaflets through some 2,500 doors in Okehampton and have been getting out and about to surrounding communities.
'The Okehampton Festival is organised by local people on a voluntary capacity and sold with local people in mind,' he said.
'It is for the people who live here to enjoy and get involved in. We are not about national stages we are about local stages.'
There are still tickets left for Roy Wood — and Alan says some seats are being provided although it was originally going to be standing only.
'This is a great, home-grown festival — during the week there are lots of people in the community performing,' he said.
On Saturday, July 20 there is the Simmons Park rededication celebrations followed by Party in the Park. Sunday's events conclude a week of arts and music festivities that guarantee something for everyone in the community to enjoy.