Festival has a sound chance

Mar 25 2009 By Rupert Basham, Surrey Herald

WATCH out Glastonbury - an IT consultant from Walton is planning to put the town on the map by organising a music festival on her doorstep.

Lara Sladden, 24, is the brains behind Walton SoundFest, which will run from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16 at Apps Court Farm.

The event will be the first of its kind in Elmbridge and will feature 25 local bands playing a mixture of genres, ranging from rock to jazz to acoustic music.

There will also be a host of stalls and activities including face painting and games.

Lara, of Terrace Road, said: "The whole point is to get up-and-coming acts playing while having a good family weekend. There's nothing like that in Walton."

The festival is expected to offer 5,000 tickets, either as a day pass or a pass to camp at the site.

Lara is applying for premises and personal licenses to run the event and is confident it will be a success. She said: "I've spoken to a lot of people from the police and the council and there doesn't seem to be a problem.

"We will have security and provide the right facilities. We are doing every-thing above board."

Lara hopes that SoundFest will not only be a launching pad for local music, but will also give businesses in the area a chance to promote themselves by holding a stall at the festival.

She says the flow of traffic that will be brought into the town over the weekend will also help local firms.

She said: "Once we have got everything up and running, I will print flyers and visit businesses near the site and ask them if they want to be a part of it.

"I think it would be a great experience and a great opportunity."

Tickets are due to go on sale at the end of March through the website www.waltonsoundfest.com. Prices yet to be confirmed.

Fifteen bands have been chosen to play at the event and Lara is currently searching for the remaining 10 acts.

Anyone interested in performing at the festival can call Lara on 07814 063873.