WITH over one hundred acts and events scheduled to be held in Grassington as part of this year’s festival, and with its modest population of 1,100 expected to swell to over 30,000 in the forthcoming weeks, the facts speak for themselves – Grassington Festival has grown to become a staggeringly successful village festival, and unlike many other big festivals, this is one that is played out in the heart of our idyllic Dales village.

As has been the way for the last 34 years, come the last two weeks of June, Grassington Festival takes over the village square, town hall, church halls and local pubs.

For the last ten years The Yorkshire Dales National Park has kindly allowed the festival to use a field close to the centre of Grassington upon which is erected a huge 1,200-seat marquee, making it possible for acts such as Al Murray, Bellowhead and Roland Gift – who are all headlining this year – to perform.

“The fact that the festival is being run by local people and is happening all around the village makes the buzz of it completely inescapable. For two weeks every year boundaries between adults, children, locals, newcomers and even the artists themselves completely blur, as Grassington becomes one big party,” says festival director Kate Beard.

“The festival also has a brilliantly positive impact on lots of local businesses too, in particular those selling food and drink, and those with accommodation to let, who benefit from the influx of visitors.”

The festival was originally conceived and created by ambitious Grassington residents who, along with Colin and Fleur Speakman, wanted to bring some of the artistic and literary talent which the Dales had always inspired, back into the area. They chose June in which to host the first festival, because historically business had always slumped a little during this month, before the economic lift brought about by the school holidays in July.

Whilst the festival on the one hand boosts and supports many local businesses, it needs, on the other hand, local businesses to support it in order for it to survive.

“The festival is a registered charity, and although we do get some support from the arts council, the whole thing is only really made possible because of ongoing and generous sponsorship, and because of our army of volunteers who do everything from manning the box office, to stewarding, to running the bars,” says Kate.

Sponsors from within the village like Relish Catering or Yorkshire Cottages, are obviously well placed to benefit from the increase in visitor numbers. Despite that fact, Russell Elsworth from Relish Catering reveals that their reasons for supporting the festival are more altruistic: “There is such an amazing atmosphere in the village when the festival is on; and it’s very exciting for us to be part of that.”

For other local business sponsors, such as Howdens Joinery, the reciprocity of the relationship is less obvious.

“This is the second year that Howdens have sponsored Grassington Festival and we are delighted to be involved in such a fantastic charitable event. As a business we support local communities and this event fits into our ‘truly local’ brand values by enabling us to give back to the local area. Along with sponsorship of the event as a whole we also support the food festival that takes place on June 21, by providing one of our kitchens for the chefs’ live presentations,” explains Becky Norris from Howdens.

Many other local businesses who support the festival, such as Midgley Motor Cars, Grassington-based Royal Oak Furniture, Merritt and Fryers, JN Bentley Ltd and Yorkshire Cruise Club echo this sentiment.

"We continue to support the festival because of the local enjoyment this great event brings, and because of the positive economic impact it has on our community. Being associated with a local success like Grassington Festival has helped to raise awareness of who we are and what we do,” explains Juliet Archer, from Yorkshire Cruise Club.

Support from local business sponsors can range from monetary donations, to lending the festival much-needed transport, as in the case of Royal Oak Furniture and Midgley Motor Cars, or through the provision of valuable resources, such as in the case of Merritt and Fryers.

Grassington Festival is much more than the big headline acts, as at the heart of the festival is the aim of broadening people’s horizons and encouraging them to try something new. Each year the festival works with local schools, community groups and local care homes, taking their talents and creating anything from temporary art installations to sell out concert performances.

“The strength and diversity of the festival comes from the fact that it is firmly rooted in the local community,” explains Kate, “And the more local people and local businesses can become involved in the festival – in whatever way suits them best, be it sponsoring, volunteering or simply just coming along and supporting events – then the more secure the festival will be for the years to come.”

If you would like to become involved in the festival either as a sponsor or as a volunteer, please email admin@grassington-festival.org.uk. For more information about this year’s festival or to book tickets, please visit www.grassington-festival.org.uk or phone the Box Office on 01756 752691.