The UK Foo Fighters will perform a special homecoming gig on The Stray as part of this year’s Your Harrogate Stray bonfire and fireworks celebrations.
The popular tribute band will take to the stage immediately after the fireworks that are organised by Harrogate Round Table on Saturday 7th November.
It will mark a return to where it all began for the band, who formed in Harrogate in 2007 and are fronted by Pateley Bridge resident Jay Apperley.
Harrogate Round Table say the addition of the UK Foo Fighters is part of plans to make this year’s free community event bigger than ever and extend the celebrations beyond the traditional fireworks finale.
Tom Gott, from Harrogate Round Table, said:
“We’re trying to keep people down there longer and make more of an event out of it.
“Building on last year and how successful last year was, we’ve decided to put it up a notch.
Matthew Symonds-Thompson of the Round Table added:
“We’ve got UK Foo Fighters. They’re on tour at the moment, but they’re coming back and making it their homecoming gig.
“They’re coming down and putting on a show for us straight after the fireworks.”
The band have previously enjoyed sell-out success in the area, including a performance at Harrogate Theatre.
Matthew added:
“We rang up and spoke to Jay, their lead singer, and he was over the moon.
“He was very happy to be contacted by his hometown, to come back and give it his all and give us a really good night.”
The event gets underway at 5pm on The Stray, close to Oatlands Drive, with entertainment throughout the evening.
DJ Mark Green will be among those appearing, while a four-piece group featuring local musicians Joe Morley, Biz Denton and Jason Odell will also perform.
The bonfire will be lit at 6:30pm before the fireworks begin at 7pm, with UK Foo Fighters taking to the stage immediately afterwards.
Thousands attended last year’s event to help raise a record-breaking £20,000, half of which went to Martin House Hospice, and once again, there will be no admission charge for this year’s display.
Instead, visitors will be encouraged to donate what they can, with money raised helping Harrogate Round Table support good causes in the local area.
Matthew Symonds-Thompson said:
“The Harrogate Round Table work all year round to support local charities and the bonfire is one of two events over the year that raises the money we use throughout the year.
“In this case, we’re supporting Mind and Samaritans.
“The big thing about it is it’s completely free to enter. It’s a real family-orientated event and the amount of people you see walking around getting enjoyment out of it is fantastic.”
Ben Symonds-Thompson added:
“We operate this event purely on donations, so the more you can give, the more we can then give to those local charities, the more we can give back and the more we can support them.”
Harrogate and Nidderdale District Scouts will once again be involved, serving hot food and soft drinks, while there will also be a bar, caterers, and a range of food options on The Stray.
Accessibility at the event is also being improved this year thanks to support from Harrogate Town Council.
The council has contributed funding towards an accessibility unit, which will include a full changing facility and accessible toilets.
Organisers say the aim is to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy one of Harrogate’s biggest annual community events.
Ben said:
“The key thing is come down, have fun and give what you can.
“But if you can just come down and enjoy yourselves, that would be great.”
Harrogate Round Table presents the Your Harrogate Stray Bonfire and Fireworks takes place on Saturday 7th November.
Gates open at 5pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6:30pm and fireworks begin at 7pm, followed immediately by UK Foo Fighters.
LISTEN: Your Harrogate’s Pete Egerton chats to Matt Symonds of Harrogate Round Table:
