A LOCAL summer festival has announced it’s biggest and best line-up to daye ahead of it’s sixth birthday, in what is touted as being “an event to remember.”

Lowde Fest will welcome acts such as The Feeling, Mica Paris, Rick Parfitt Jnr, 29 Fingers and X Factor star Janet Devlin at the festival which has quickly established itself as the “must go to” family gig of the year.

Taking place on July 2 at Mulberry House in Hazeley Bottom, the festivities kickoff at 11am.

Speaking to the Hook Herald, Janet Devlin, of 2011 X-Factor fame told about her excitement at playing the local festival. “I can’t explain how much I’m looking forward to it. It’s my first festival of the summer so I genuinely cannot wait.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played a festival as well so I’m both nervous and excited.

“I know it’s going to be a lot of fun so I’m eager to get out there and hopefully put on a great show for everyone.”

With a new album on the way towards the end of the year, Janet was also looking forward to the possibility of some new material creeping into her performance, alongside her already established work.

“I may play some songs from the new record, it’d be great to hear what people think of them. So like a little road test!

“I’ve got a new band at the minute so it’s going to be a whole new energy for this show.”

With it already half a decade before she got her big break, Janet Devlin was full of wisdom for any young festival goers with similar aspirations. “My advice would be to stick at it and believe in yourself. It’s a tough industry, so at the end of the day, if you believe in what you’re doing and enjoy it then it doesn’t really matter what other people think.

“Also just always be yourself, everyone should make music that they enjoy, other people enjoying it should just be a happy coincidence.

“So just make the music you want to make and create what gets you excited.”

The summer concert will help raise funds for Lowde Music Trust and Naomi House.

Established in 2010 as a fundraising event, the trust now supports education of young people in the subject of music and creative performance and works for the relief of sickness and preservation of health among young people.

The last six years has seen a whole host of musical acts play at the festival at Hazeley Bottom near Hartley Wintney offering support to charities such as Naomi House, Radio Lollipop and the festival’s Trust.

Martin Lowde, the founder of the event explained: “We wanted to create a festival that was perfect for families, with something for kids of all ages.

“Which is why we make sure the music is diverse, the bars are amazing, the fairground and kids entertainment is second to none, and the campsite is right next door, so no one needs to drive home.

“This year we are looking to beat our fundraising record and help more people than ever before.

“It really is all about music for good.”

Jill McDonagh, area fundraiser for Naomi House & Jacksplace spoke about their association with the event. “We are absolutely delighted to be benefiting from this year’s Lowde Fest and are so very grateful to the Lowde Fest team for their fabulous support.”

Lowde Fest is also working with a range of local business partners and sponsors to help raise funds and there will be plenty of opportunities for local businesses to get involved in the months and week building up to the event.

For anyone wishing to attend the festival, tickets and more information are available on the website www.lowdefest.com.