Sax’s Summer festival is back
After a two-year forced absence through COVID lockdowns and restrictions Saxmundham’s weekend summer outdoor music festival is back.
A popular event in Suffolk’s recent summer calendar, the new look Sax Community Fest will take place during Friday 29 and Saturday 30 July and will be held on the Saxmundham Free School playing fields. Headline tribute bands, who will be confirmed shortly, will perform each evening. Entry is free.
For 2022, Sax Community Fest bears a new name, reflecting a development from its roots back in 2014 as a purely music festival towards being a true community event with the addition of non-music entertainment and activities, and a range of meeting facilities.
The two-day event will have food stalls, a licensed bar, and a community cafe run by Rotary for elderly, vulnerable, and disabled visitors to enjoy the event in a professionally managed secure and safe environment.
Children will be able to have free hands-on arts and craft making experiences, and take part in dance and music workshops under professional instruction in a marquee.
Another marquee will house a ‘Sax information zone’, offering consultation services for young people about local employment, and advice on health and wellbeing.

Saxmundham’s IP17 Good Neighbour scheme will assist with volunteers to oversee the various activities and marshalling duties.
Sax Community Fest director and local resident, Terry Barrow, explained the thinking behind the festival’s new look:
“With all the social deprivation, anxiety and misery that COVID has caused to the people of Saxmundham, we want to stage a truly inclusive community event, building on our previous experience of Sax music fest, and offer not only music, which remains the core entertainment, but also introduce other activities. Our aim is to help people to relax and socialise again, putting behind them the darkness of the past two years, through two days of fun and enjoyment”.
Already, the festival has won financial support from Saxmundham Town Council, East Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council, the Seckford Trust, and Adnams.
A further £5000 still needs to be raised to ensure all the planned activities and facilities can go ahead. Donations can be made through PayPal and/or credit/debit card at www.saxmusicfest.co.uk front page. Potential sponsors can visit sponsorship@saxmusicfest.co.uk to discuss arrangements. All confirmed sponsors will be credited through the festival’s advertising.
Further news and updates will be announced on the festival’s Facebook page and website, www.saxmusicfest.co.uk
Tribute bands at previous Saxfest events have been the music of Abba, the Rolling Stones, ELO, the Bee Gees, Robbie Williams and Madonna.
Media enquiries: contact Terry Barrow: admin@saxmusicfest.co.uk