Monsters, myths and magic on the bill as South Tyneside Festival dates are announced

Monsters, myths and magic will come to South Shields this summer as the South Tyneside Festival returns.
Last year's paradeLast year's parade
Last year's parade

The three-month long event will bring together music and family fun across a whole host of venues in the town, cementing it as one of the UK’s biggest free festivals.

The annual Summer Parade will take place on June 30, when hundreds of youth groups, schools and community organisations will be taking up the theme of monsters, myths and magic, under the artistic direction of South Shields-based Community Interest Company, Creative Seed.

Sister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concertsSister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concerts
Sister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concerts
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The parade will make its way through the town to Bents Park, where visitors can enjoy a range of family-friendly activities and live music.

The town’s Sandhaven Amphitheatre will be the venue for a whole range of performances, with live music every Thursday and Saturday evening from June 2 – 23 .

It will also host brass band concerts every Sunday afternoon from June through to August, apart from July 1, when music lovers can enjoy Proms in the Park which this year will move to Bents Park.

Bents Park will once again be hosting the extremely popular Sunday concerts on July 8,15,22 and 29, with the promise of big names to follow in the footsteps of the previous acts who have taken to the stage.

Sister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concertsSister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concerts
Sister Sledge were one of the acts performing in last year's summer concerts
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Last year’s shows featured stars including KT Tunstall, Busted, Sister Sledge and a host of X Factor names and the hope is that this year’s line-up will be as exciting.

Parents worried how to keep their young ones amused throughout the long holiday will also be relieved to know that the Kids Fun-Fest is also returning to the amphitheatre, with activities every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2 – 23 August.

Coun Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for culture and leisure, said the festival continued to be a huge draw for the town.

"The South Tyneside Festival continues to put the town on the map and is a fantastic three months of free events for people of all ages," he said.

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"We know that every year it also brings in visitors from not just the North East but from across the UK and further afield and there is no reason to think that this year will be any different.

"We are sure when the line-up is announced for the Sunday concerts there will be a huge response – as there always is – and we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors over the summer months."