Hastings Beer and Music Festival
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hastings Beer and Music Festival is a four-day event, formerly three, which takes place in Alexandra Park, Hastings. It is managed by a committee made up of members of the local Round Table. These people pull together experience from a whole range of professional positions to make the event happen.
The Hastings Beer Festival started in 1982 and was the vision of former Hastings Round Table Member John Butters and the former landlord of the Queen's Head in Icklesham, Martin Harris. They joined forces to create this now annual event.
What started out as a small charity raising event offering a unique selection of ales has now become a major event for Hastings and the surrounding areas with that same focus of voluntary work and 100% of the money raised being donated to local causes.
In 1998 the event became the Hastings Beer and Music Festival.
The size of the event has increased a lot over the years and this has resulted in a new concept to the way in which the event is organised and operated. As well as voluntary work offered by Round Table members past and present, their wives, the support of the Lions Club and many other charitable organisations in the area this event continues to provide a great form of entertainment for the town and maximise the amount of money generated for local charities.
In 2005, Hastings Beer and Music Festival upped the ante, with Keane, a local band from nearby Battle performing at the event. This proved a great opportunity and raised a lot of money for the primary beneficiary - St. Michaels Hospice. Following the success of this format, the team at Hastings Beer and Music Festival have opted for yet another big name headline act. Status Quo are to grace the stages as part of their 'the party ain't over yet...' tour.
