SELL out crowds of six thousand enjoyed a sizzling Sunshine Festival in Upton over the bank holiday weekend.

This year’s festival was the biggest in the six-year history of the event with performers like UB40, Suzi Quatro, Chaz and Dave, Gabrielle and of course the Chuckle Brothers proving a big draw during the weekend.

The years have seen the music festival grow from a small venture to a four stage event catering for all tastes.

There were 6,000 people this year compared to 4,500 people at last year’s festival which illustrates how it continues to grow in popularity, selling out on the Thursday before the festival opened.

Steve High, who handles the PR for the festival, said: “This festival is the biggest and best yet. It has been more popular than expected. This is the most diverse line up we have put on. We love the atmosphere here.”

Mr High said it was also a chance to support 50 local traders who set up their stalls free at the three-day festival as well as an opportunity to support charities and good causes like the Orchard Service, Friends of Upton Primary, the Hospices Lottery, Help for Heroes, the Severn Area Rescue Association, Worcestershire Cancer Aid, Upton Youth Band and Hot Peppers WI.

A new Food Village and Kids Zone aimed to make the event more family friendly. Backstage the artists were well looked after with their own hot tub and massages available and a chef to cook them whatever they wanted.

Many of the crowd chose to dress up for ‘superhero Saturday’ with a group of twelve from Redditch dressing as Hillbillies.

Among the Hillbillies were Andy Peters, aged 49, and wife Jade Peters, 47, and their dog Pip, a three-year-old Patterjack who performs meerkat impressions on request.

The Hardwick family from Stourport also had a great time while watching Showaddywaddy on Saturday.

Jo Hardwick said: “It’s a good family day. We love it. They really cater for families.”

Four generations of the same family from Somerset attended the festival, a group of 20 (16 family and four friends).

Tom Ashton said the group included his wife Shirley, his dad Don Newman who is shortly to celebrate his 90th birthday, his son Chris Ashton, daughter-in-law Becky Ashton, grandson, Sam Ashton, 12, granddaughter Imogen Ashton, aged nine, daughter Paula Baker and her husband John, grandchildren Olly Baker, eight, Lily Baker, two, Grace Baker, five, Lottie Gosling, eight, Freddy Gosling, five and friends, Rose and Liam Campbell-Knight who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Tom Ashton, who is the director of tourism for Somerset, said: “Dad is going to love Chaz and Dave and Suzi Quatro was amazing last night. It's a great, friendly family festival."

Friends Grace Smith, Jan Sayer and Linda Carroll all of Hall Green, Birmingham were dressed in Where's Wally costumes but were also planning to dress up as Batwoman, Catwoman and Superman respectively.

Others to enjoy the festival were Yvette Skett of Hanbury Road in Droitwich, Sevgi Kilic, Dolly Torkilsden and Deborah Sorenson.

Yvette said: "Suzie Quatro was fantastic. We love the atmosphere."

Ryan Ware, 17, of St John's, Worcester, dressed as a Roman soldier, Sam Ord-Houghton, 17, of Plymouth dressed as Captain Britain, Izzy Morton, 16, of Malvern dressed as Elastigirl from the Incredibles and Max Lobo, 18, of Malvern Link, dressed as Superman all soaked up the atmosphere.

Mr Ware said: "We have been coming for the past three years. We like the people and the atmosphere and the old bands. We can't get enough of Showaddywaddy. We missed the Chuckle Brothers on the first day and we're gutted."

Worcester News:


Liza Nicol‎: My dog Alfie dressed for superhero Saturday at the festival.