Ashford Borough Council to continue supporting cultural events and festivals
Posted on 20 December 2024The updated Ashford Festival and Events Framework 2025-2028 was agreed in December and will guide support and delivery for festivals and events in Ashford Town Centre and across the borough.
The council has been testing and piloting a range of festivals and activity over the past three years following the adoption of the original framework in 2021 (Festival and Events Framework 2021-2024).
Many successes have been achieved from the first framework and the new one reflects these as well as including new opportunities to help ensure the borough continues to have a broad, diverse and attractive programme of events.
“Seeing first-hand the impact our events and festivals have on our people, venues, town centres, and communities has been truly inspiring”
Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council
Ashford residents and employees can expect to see a continuation of core events like Carnival of the Baubles, Create Music Village and Ashford Food and Drink Festival. Alongside those, it will also see a calendar of important civic and historical dates to be promoted or commemorated including the upcoming 80th anniversary of VE Day and 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Other community events supported by the council include Ashford Pride, Tenterden Folk Festival, Eid celebrations, World in a Tent and the literary arts and environment focused Wealden Festival.
“I was totally blown away by the amount of people and buzz in the air - what a wonderful community spirit it was”
Audience member
The framework helps stimulate a vibrant town centre events programme for residents, visitors and businesses through large participative carnivals, stunning murals, family art trails, grassroots music gigs and food festivals.
It is also integral to having a programme that supports our community celebrating their heritage and diversity and gives the opportunity to participate locally in shared moments and increases the skills, productivity and job opportunities for local creatives in the borough.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses can also benefit directly from the Framework and these events with a brilliant sponsorship package on offer. It’s a great opportunity to get your brand in front of thousands of people throughout the year, demonstrating your support for the Ashford Borough community. Speak to the team if you are interested in sponsoring events and activity in Ashford.
