REVELLERS have enjoyed two days of sun and good times as the weather gods looked kindly on this year's Wickham Festival.
The festival is taking place on fields off Blind Lane in Wickham this weekend with 7,000 people expected to attend.
The annual event kicked off on Thursday night with acts Chris Difford, Los Pacaminos and 10cc performing.
READ MORE: Are you in our gallery? Best pictures from Wickham Festival 2022 so far
It then saw a full day of live music, dancing, activities and family-friendly fun take place on Friday, with acts the Saw Doctors headlining the main stage and Rumer headlining the smaller Big Top. Skinny Lister also played a lively set on the main stage that got the crowd dancing and singing.
Saturday will see the festivities continue with the Levellers, Ferocious Dog, the Dhol Foundation and the Undertones due to perform.
Sunday will wrap up the event, with the Waterboys top of the bill.
Thousands of people from across the country have pitched up at the festival, which has a large campsite for both traditional tents and campervans, plus a glamping section.
The good weather is a welcome addition to this year’s event, after last year saw heavy rain and mud. The event last year was also hit with problems setting up the main stage, which thankfully have also not been a problem this summer.
Pete Neaves, 62, from Farnham, is staying the weekend in a tent.
He said: “I came last year and it was very wet, I came back this year to dry off! It has been wonderful so far. It is a beautiful location and the weather has been beautiful and it is set to stay all weekend. I am looking forward to seeing the Undertones, and Los Pacaminos were great on the first night.”
The festival is known for being one of the most family friendly in the UK, and has picked up several awards for its family provisions.
The Branch family from Charminster were enjoying the good weather and music with their young children Harriet, three, and Xander, five, as well as grandparents Sue and Chris.
Mum Leanne, who was also with husband Andy, said: “It has been really good. It is so relaxed. It is our first festival with the children and it’s been great.”
Amanda, 60, said: “We were here last year in the mud and it’s so different this year. It has been fantastic, it is so wonderful.
"There have been some brilliant performances, we love it as you get to see acts that you wouldn’t normally have seen and you find you really enjoy them. The Longest Johns were excellent, plus we really enjoyed the dancing from the Morris dancers.”
Alan, 57, said: “It has been really good fun, I am looking forward to the Undertones too.”
Acts such as the Dhol Foundation were also enjoying the good vibes ahead of their main performance on Saturday night.
Rav Sandhu, from the Bhangra band, said: “It is amazing, we have been here many times before and we love this festival. Last year they had problems with the weather and the main stage, but it’s great to see that this year they have pulled together and everyone is having a great time. We are loving being part of the crowd, meeting people and having people come up to us. It’s great to be here.”
The festival continues until Sunday night. Tickets are still available online wickhamfestival.co.uk/
To see a video from the event go to Hampshire Chronicle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hampshire.chronicle/videos/999780417377062
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