A celebration of local music, beer, and street food will be the first event of the Romsey Festival this weekend.

Flack Manor Brewery is an award-winning local brewery that has served Romsey and the local Hampshire community with quality seasonal beers since 2010.

They have now teamed up with James “Stretch” Williams – a local performing musician, Hampshire music event promoter and songwriter, to put on the first event of the Romsey Festival.

Flackfest will take place on Saturday, July 1, starting at 1.30pm. It's free entry. 

Hampshire Chronicle: James "Stretch" Williams

It will feature five local bands and acoustic artists, several beers that have been brewed on the premises and two local street food vendors.

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Vicky Chambers, Q&A manager at Flack Manor, said: “It made sense for us to do Flackfest as our taproom at the brewery regularly has local musicians performing and also allows customers to sample our beers in our unique surroundings.” 

Hampshire Chronicle: The Duskers

Vicky Blandford, Flack Manor office manager, said: “It’s great that we are also able to do something that is part of the event schedule for Romsey Festival and work with local musicians like James who share the same community ethos as us”

James said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play at this venue a few times and the acoustics are some of the best I’ve played in. They have always been great to work with and I really wanted to do something bigger with Flack Manor, as it is the perfect location to host an all-day festival. 

“I definitely know Flackfest won’t run out of beer, which is a disappointing problem that music events and festivals can sometimes have but bands like The Showponies will certainly not be disappointing you with a banging setlist of crowd pleasing covers.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The Showponies

Mark Edgerley, vice chairman of the Romsey Festival committee, said: “Romsey Festival is delighted that our sponsor Flack Manor Brewery are hosting our festival’s major opening event this year with their Flackfest. An amazing compilation of great music, fine street food and beer.”

Jon Williams, keyboard player in headlining band The Duskers, said: “We’re excited to be involved in playing in a great venue with other great musicians and fantastic beers.”

For more details, visit romseyfestival.org/events/flackfest/.