Anti Loo Roll Festival in Colchester to return in September

The Anti Loo Roll Festival attracted more than 4,000 visitors to Castle Park in September last year and is now set to return for a second incarnation next month.

The event, which is the brainwave of the Anti Loo Roll Brigade, a community group which supported residents throughout the Covid pandemic, is set to return on September 10.

Big name performers including 2014 X Factor finalist Fleur East are set to take to the various stages and deliver awesome entertainment to the masses.

Toploader, who penned pop classic Dancing in the Moonlight, will also perform, as well as internationally acclaimed ska and reggae band The Dualers.

Performance - The Blues Brothers take to the stage last year

Anti Loo Roll Brigade founder Peter Dutch said he is thrilled the event is returning after the huge success it saw during 2021’s inaugural event.

“I haven’t had much time to reflect on last year as things have been non-stop,” said Mr Dutch.

“When I did manage to get on stage it blew me away looking at how many people were there, it was mindblowing pulling that off in Castle Park.

“It was phenomenal and we made a bit of money which has since been put to good use in the community and helped set us up to turn it into a big yearly event.”

Wow - more than 4,000 people enjoyed the festival in 2021

Following last year’s entertainment, with visitors enjoying performances from Scouting for Girls, former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, Jake Quickenden and more, Mr Dutch said he feels the community is enjoying some normality again.

“None of this was planned from the word go, we just set up a page to help some local people during what was a difficult time,” he added.

“As we grew into so many different areas and were having a positive impact, we couldn’t just walk away from it.

“From that to what we’ve now grown into is absolutely incredible. There’s an awful lot of support from businesses and people in Colchester and long may all of this continue.”