Ampthill Festival

Ampthill Festival 2008

Gala Day - Sunday 6th July 2008

View Video Clips from a rain soaked Ampthill Park

View the Festival Programme

Sponsored by

With considerable support from Ampthill Town Council

Indiana Jones Comes To Ampthill

Ever wondered how the action stunts in movies such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are created? Come to the Ampthill Festival Gala Day and you can find out.

On Sunday 5th July, Ampthill Park will become a film set for the afternoon and festival-goers will watch while a team of skilled stunt professionals stage mock fights, fall from high buildings and get blown away by fake explosions. This action-packed stunt show is just a small part of the movie-themed mayhem that will take over the Mid Bedfordshire market town on Sunday 6th July.

The hugely popular annual festival day kicks off at 12.15pm when children from the local area parade along Dunstable Street and Woburn Street to Ampthill Park, dressed up as their favourite film characters.

Festival organiser Chris Hayes says: “Kids love dressing up so I expect we shall see Ampthill taken over by Disney princesses, Spider-Men, Harry Potters and Hermione Grangers on Gala Day.”

The parade is just part of the attraction for families wanting to spend a fun day out in the pretty Georgian town of Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Kids’ entertainers Katy Ketchup and Mr Cheese will be on hand to keep the children entertained along with ventriloquist Andy and his funny and furry stork Lewis. Active youngsters can burn off some of their excess energy on one of the many fairground rides, bouncy castles and other amusements in the park.

Dance acts will also entertain visitors to the popular annual festival, again expected to number in their thousands. On this year’s bill are the Red-hot Chilli Pepper Salsa Team, Jazzercise demonstrations and a display by the town’s Redbornstoke Morris Men along with the visiting Stroud Ladies Morris.

Music always plays a big role in the Ampthill festival and this year is no exception. Kicking off the afternoon on the main stage at 1.30pm will be local funk/rock band The Measure while Irish punk from The Ramblers raises the pace mid-afternoon. Bowfinger will entertain the crowds with Hammond organ powered ska and new wave. Eight-piece crowd pleasers New Groove Formation will end the day with a funktastic bang. Festival-goers with quieter tastes should check out the acoustic stage for unplugged performances throughout the day.

 Charity stalls and a licensed bar complete the line-up for what promises to be a fun-filled day out for everyone. Festival organiser Chris Hayes adds: “Everyone loves the excitement and glitz of the movies so this year’s Ampthill Festival looks set to be the best ever.” 

For more information, contact organiser Chris Hayes on telephone 07795 624263 or email christophe.hayes@ntlworld.com.

Festival Parade

12.15pm – Parade: Theme – ‘The Movies’ - from Station Road, via Dunstable Street & Woburn Street to Ampthill Park

If you want to register your involvement in the Parade you can do so by downloading the Parade Application form below or by contacting Sue Summerfield: 01525 753723

Gala Day in Ampthill Park 

1pm – Gala Day activities in Ampthill Park, including:

Arena Acts – 1.15pm to 5pm

• “On the Edge Stunt Show”  All action stunt show as in films

• Andy and Lewis, “Magic and Ventriloquism”.

• “Katy Ketchup” Children’s’ entertainer

• Jazzercise

• Redbornstoke Morris Men

• Red-hot Chilli Pepper Salsa Team

• “Mr Cheese” Children’s entertainer

Music Acts – 1.30pm to 7pm

• 1.30pm - The Measure (Funk/Rock) - www.myspace.com/themeasureuk 

• 2.35pm - The Authentics

• 3.40pm - The Ramblers (Irish punk) - www.myspace.com/theramblers0

• 4.45pm - Bowfinger (Hammond driven rock and roll) - www.myspace.com/bowfiner

• 5.50pm - New Groove Formation (Funk/Reggae/Ska) - www.myspace.com/newgrooveformation

• Plus: Acoustic Stage

Amusements, Fairground Rides, Licensed Bar, Charity Stalls

Subject to Change

Other Festival Events

Getting Involved in Ampthill Festival 2008

Gala Day Volunteers Needed – Have you got a few hours to spare on the day, as we would be keen to hear from you as we a looking for volunteers to assist us with this year’s event? You could be a Steward, help with setting or taking down the festival, help with litter picking, collecting donations, distributing programmes etc. We would love to hear from you! Please contact Mark Smith (Home 402560 or Work 01234 354366 or mark.a.smith@ampthill.org.uk)

Festival Stalls

If your group or business wants a stall in the Park, then download a form below or contact Doreen Stoddart: 01525 402402

Download:

• Ampthill Festival Stalls Application 2008 (PDF)

• Ampthill Festival Stalls Application 2008 (Word Doc)

• Current List of Stalls due at Gala Day 2008 (Excel)

• Ampthill Festival Walking Parade Application 2008 (PDF)

• Ampthill Festival Walking Parade Application 2008 (Word Doc)

Contacts

• Chairman: Chris Hayes: christophe.hayes@ntlworld.com

• Sponsorship, Concessions & Adverts in the Gala Programme: Stephen Knights: stephen@familyknights.co.uk or Andy Hampshaw: andy.hampshaw@appointmentgroup.com

• Stalls & Festival Queen: Doreen Stoddart: j-d-stoddart@metronet.co.uk or 01525 402402

• Parade: Sue Summerfield: gary.summerfield@ntlworld.com or 01525 753723

• Publicity: Mark Smith: mark.a.smith@ampthill.org.uk or 01525 402560 (evening) 01525 841160 (daytime)

• Music Stage: Fran Bove: franbove@btinternet.com or 07999 437987

• Festival Site: Gary Summerfield: gary.summerfield@ntlworld.com or 01525 753723