ARLEBURY Park will provide the venue on June 9 for the ninth Alresford Music Festival (AMF)

An independent, unique music and creative festival, Alresford Music Festival has built a reputation for making families and first-time festivalgoers feel extra welcome, providing the perfect and safest place to enjoy some of the best and most varied music about.

The festival is also keen to provide a platform for young musicians from local schools and colleges to play on the big stage and has regularly showcased young artists to provide inspiration for the future stars.

Afestival spokesman said: “Featuring more than 25 bands playing across five stages, Alresford Music Festival is renowned on the festival circuit for the quality and breadth of music and musicians taking part, it is not a festival to throw down the latest fad commercial bands.

“The music is carefully chosen for its ability to bring a summer party to the festival.

“Originality, eclectic, multi genre and emerging as well as established talent means festivalgoers will find bands they wish they’d uncovered sooner.”

In addition, a dedicated family arena will provide space and freedom for children of all ages to roam safely yet within easy sight.

And a big screen will ensure that the main stages can be seen from anywhere in the arena and the performances enjoyed whatever festivalgoers are doing, whether bungee trampolining or climbing a colossal wall, being decorated with glitter, enjoying the theatre tent or dancing in front of one of the five stages of live music and performance.

There will be a packed festival village, with a wide choice of local and international food, a fine ale bar, cocktail bar, and cider bars.

While the day is expected to be busy, there is the opportunity for festivalgoers to arrive early and camping is available on both Friday and Saturday nights for those who want to make a weekend of it. The campsite is next to a trout stream and overlooks the South Downs within walking distance from the festival and the town centre.

There will be music on around the town on Friday night, including Soul Cellar where Acid Jazz label founder Eddie Piller plus guest DJs Nobel and Heath and Double O Soul will be playing Northern Soul and rare 60s sounds.

It is easy to get to Alresford Music Festival with free shuttle buses from Winchester or Alton train stations to pick up and return festivalgoers.

The gates open from 10am and close at midnight. Children aged under five can get in free with a paying adult.

Visit alresfordmusicfestival.com.