MEADOWFEST, (let me say it again), Meadowfest, is coming. Have you heard? Malton’s brand new music festival packed full of joyful bands, fab food and all set in the most stunning of settings is coming later this month.

It gives me the greatest of pleasure and I am incredibly excited to say that on Saturday, July 20, Malton will launch its very first music festival. Let me tell you more.

For a few years now people have been telling us at Visit Malton that they’d like to see more music in Malton.

It’s something we’ve always wanted to do but with foodie events taking up most of our time we haven’t been able to get round to it. But no longer.

In the spirit of bringing forward another string to Malton’s bow, Meadowfest will be the stand-out event of an emerging music and arts scene in Malton.

Meadowfest, which is a one-day music festival set in the gardens and riverside meadows below the Talbot, will start small this year, but we’ve got big plans for it in the coming years.

Actually with two stages, 12 bands, loads of street food, and a rocking bar filled with Brass Castle Beer, gin and fizz, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be an epic day.

And that’s without even mentioning all the family entertainment, vintage children’s funfair, inflatables, lawn games, haybales, giant deck chairs and more.

So who’s playing and what kind of music can you expect? Think uplifting, think sunshine. If it gets you dancing and puts a smile on your face, then they’ll be at Meadowfest.

On the Main Stage we’ve got a superb line-up of top Yorkshire talent, including the likes of Beth McCarthy, contestant from BBC One’s The Voice and a truly fantastic singer, her set alone will be amazing.

There’s Flat Cap Carnival, a madcap collection of Latin rhythm and energy, plus Ben Beattie’s After Midnight Band another fantastic act.

We’ve got the magnificent and inspirational ukele band The Grand Old Uke of York, the soulful Marc Atkinson will be playing live and there’s the brilliant and dramatic Tengu Taiko Japanese Drummers.

On the Hay Bale Stage we’ve got Rachel Croft, Gary Stewart, Simon Snaize and Malton’s very own Upbeat Brass. A big thank you goes out to Graeme Hargreaves who has put together this line-up.

And, of course, the headliner on the Main Stage, the big act of the night, the one and only, the epic, the incomparable, Levi Roots will be finishing the night.

Yes, he’s back in Malton with his 12-piece reggae band playing all of his own hits and many of

your favourite ska and reggae classics.

Levi, who has been such a friend and supporter of Malton over the years, seemed to us to be the best person to crown Malton’s very first music festival and he epitomises all that Meadowfest stands for - joyful, uplifting and with music that should taste as good as it sounds.

Tickets are available now from visitmalton.com. See you all there.

And don’t forget, before Meadowfest comes to town we have Malton Monthly Food Market next Saturday, July 13th, from 9am to 3pm, and the week after we have Street Food Sunday on July 28th, from 11am to 3pm rounding off a busy July.

For more information on all these events, visit visitmalton.com