GuilFest confirm their desire to make a comeback

Tony Scott says he wants to bring the festival back in 2014

By Scott Williams | Published: Mon 29th Jul 2013

GuilFest 2014 - Chipmunk (crowd)
Photo credit: Sarah Thomas

GuilFest 2014

Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July 2014
Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey, England MAP
£120 weekend with camping, child 12-17 £85, u12s free
Daily capacity: 25,000

Since the sad loss of GuilFest last year, after the company behind it went into liquidation, organisers have been inundated with requests and offers of support in helping to reinstate the festival.

One of the older events, Guildford Live was re-named GuilFest in 2002 and has each year offered a multitude of different musical styles with classic and modern acts, plus entertainment, children's area, art and crafts, and a truly festive atmosphere. It had been one of eFestivals favourite festivals, and one that we've sponsored since 2002. 

Organisers now want to bring back the experience that they point out has been appreciated locally and provided an important role in the community and its support of local businesses and employment, not to mention local acts and performers.

Organiser Tony Scott told eFestivals that he hoped to bring back the event or another similar one to the area in the future, and organisers feel that 21 years of hard work in building this yearly family focused independent event, which has hosted a vast array of musicians and performers cannot just be lost.

Promoters Live Nation hosted a new music festival Magic Summer Live this year over GuilFest's traditional dates at the same site, headlined by Bryan Adams and Jamiroquai which saw 12,000 festival-goers attend each day, and has already shown an interest to return in 2014.

GuilFest organisers have been busy and in continuing discussions with each other throughout this year looking at as to how and whether the festival could reinstate itself again next year (2014) . 

Towards the end of last week, GuilFest organisers noted an exceptional amount of requests with online petitions and social media campaigns to bring back the festival next year.

This has led to an approach by Tony Scott and his team to Guildford Borough Council - to register their interest and confirm their desires to see the festival return to its home, in the grounds of Stoke Park. 

Although GuilFest unfortunately did not happen in 2013, the GuilFest team say they are working on new ideas for next year's event and are assuring local residents, festival goers, music aficionados and everyone else with any interest that if this happens they will return with the best GuilFest ever seen. 

A statement from organisers said, "Variety is the spice of life and such applies as ever and remains the ethos of GuilFest in ensuring that the tastes as of many people as possible are catered for. The team have been working hard to ensure all feedback is taken into account and have some great new ideas for next year including exciting new areas and even more first class entertainment to suit all ages.

The GuilFest Team have declared they are, "Committed to working with the Council, Police, and Local Businesses in bringing back a well loved and respected local community event that everyone can enjoy and be proud to be part of again. With enough support we feel there is every hope that this can be achieved.

The GuilFest team would like to thank the public for their continued support and hope to bring the greatest ever GuilFest back to Stoke Park in 2014!"

Those readers who want to see GuilFest back in Guildford again, are asked to visit the GuilFest website (www.guilfest.co.uk) for more details on ways they can help as well as sign up to the petition on the GuilFest Facebook page.




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