Part of the success of both the food festival and the August Festivities has been the live music put on in the town centre.

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy the bands on Saturday night and for one organiser of the food festival, it is the part of the event which gives a special buzz to the local music scene.

Pete Dew, landlord of The Square Brewery, certainly gives local talent its chance with at least two nights of live music at his pub every week.

But he knows what it means to the bands who have the chance to impress the large crowd on Saturday.

“It is a big opportunity for them to play in front of so many people,” Pete said. “It gives them the experience of playing in this kind of atmosphere – on a big stage, with lighting and everything which goes with this.

“Not all of the bands are from Petersfield itself but they are very good and will enjoy playing to such a large crowd.”

One change which has been put in place this year is to make the stage higher to give everyone a better view of the performers.

Pete is looking forward to seeing the town centre packed with people again and he remains impressed by the inclusive nature which sees all kinds of people from the community turning up to let their hair down.

He explained: “When we put on the live music in The Square there is a fantastic, electric atmosphere.

“At last year’s August Festivities you couldn’t see the ground from the front of the stage back to the pub. There were so many people enjoying the music.

“A big part of the evening is the cross section of the community which turns up to watch the bands.

“In front of the stage there will be toddlers dancing and OAPs will be sat around with their families enjoying the music.

“You see people bumping into friends they haven’t seen for a while and everyone is having a good time. It is a real community event.

“It also proves that large crowds of people can come together in the town centre and there will not be trouble.

“There has not been one arrest at any of our evening music events because people behave properly and there is a great community spirit.”