Ollie Fest returns for another Bank Holiday weekend, and offers three days of entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Starting on the evening of Friday, August 25th and filling the weekend with live bands, food, bars, and a rugby match, there is something for everyone.

Ollie Fest was first held in response to the tragic loss of a member of Ross Rugby Club, Ollie Floyd. He was just 20-years-old when he died in March 2015, and was a popular member of the Rugby Club. Unsure of how to bring the community together, friends and relatives put together a free community event featuring live music including several well-known headline acts, along with a friendly rugby match.

Friends say that the first event was a spur of the moment response to put something together, to acknowledge the grief and to lift the community’s spirits. Costing around £20,000 to stage the event, it is only possible because of the fantastic support Ollie’s family have had from local businesses and individuals. This includes all those people who put their change in the collecting buckets, which means that they have the funds to keep going.

The event has grown, and now offers a wide variety of musical entertainment as well as a fun fair, inflatables and plenty of places to eat or drink. Entry is still free, although there is a charge for parking of just £3.

Nick and Hayley, Ollie’s parents, are very grateful for all the support that continues to be offered by people and businesses in the local community. Many firms have sponsored the show, and his family are thankful to the Rugby Club for allowing the festival to take place on their grounds at Greytree.

The headline acts include a Robbie Williams Tribute, a UB40 Experience Tribute, Viva La Coldplay, and a Dolly Parton tribute act.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.