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Sheppey's first IsleFest tribute festival a hit

More than 2,000 music lovers voted Sheppey's first IsleFest a hit.

The gamble by Islander Paul Rogers and Marc Layton of LaytonDings Entertainment paid off as eight tribute acts entertained the crowds over the bank holiday weekend.

Who Are You, led by Sheppey's Steven Hunt, went down a storm on the adults-only Saturday night with Oasis tribute Definitely Mightbe and Adored (The Stone Roses).

Birthday girl Megan Burton joins Little Mix tribute act LMX on stage at IsleFest, Sheppey

Sunday's family line-up featured tributes to Robbie Williams, Olly Murs, Taylor Swift, Little Mix and Abba Magic comprising Kent girls Zoe Potter from Iwade as Anni-Frid and blonde Miranda Richards from Swanscombe as Agnetha.

Even the weather helped as only one short shower brought out the rain macs.

The event, which included a children's funfair, beer tent and stalls selling food and drink, was never uncomfortably packed. But the organisers were happy with 900 guests on the Saturday and 1,100 on Sunday.

Who tribute act Who Are You led by Sheppey singer Steven Hunt at IsleFest on the Isle of Sheppey on Saturday. Picture: John Nurden (11225387)
Who tribute act Who Are You led by Sheppey singer Steven Hunt at IsleFest on the Isle of Sheppey on Saturday. Picture: John Nurden (11225387)
Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe with lead singer Ian Alcock and guitarist Paul Mitchell at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Saturday night. Picture: John Nurden (11225397)
Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe with lead singer Ian Alcock and guitarist Paul Mitchell at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Saturday night. Picture: John Nurden (11225397)
Kicking out: Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228745)
Kicking out: Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228745)
Kicking out: Miranda Richards and Zoe Potter of Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: Phil Lee (11198622)
Kicking out: Miranda Richards and Zoe Potter of Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: Phil Lee (11198622)

Mr Rogers said: "We were very pleased with how the first IsleFest went. Lots of people came up to shake my hand and thanked us for putting it on.

"We deliberately took it steady this first year to shake out any problems but it proved Sheppey can support an event like this which was long overdue. I'd like to thank everyone who came along."

Birthday girl Megan Burton, 14, from Kemsley had a surprise when Little Mix tribute girls LMX called her onto the stage. The Highsted Grammar School pupil was presented with a cake and invited to join the group to perform Black Magic.

Six-year-old Eden Bryant from Halfway won the raffle for a white electric guitar signed by all the acts.

Abba Magic at IsleFest, Sheppey

Sheppey IsleFest organisers Marc Layton, left, and Paul Rogers. Picture: John Nurden (11228761)
Sheppey IsleFest organisers Marc Layton, left, and Paul Rogers. Picture: John Nurden (11228761)
Birthday girl Megan Burton, 14, had a surprise birthday cake from the LMX girls at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228725)
Birthday girl Megan Burton, 14, had a surprise birthday cake from the LMX girls at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228725)
Little Mix group LMX with little Eden Bryant, 6, who won a signed electric guitar at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228753)
Little Mix group LMX with little Eden Bryant, 6, who won a signed electric guitar at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture: John Nurden (11228753)

Among the crowd was popular Miki The Clown and Jolly Dizzy, who have recently moved to Sheerness, and a giant shaggy Chewbacca and a Tie Fighter from Star Wars from Bury St Edmunds based Vaders Raiders.

The mobile stage was provided by Sittingbourne firm AAA (Access All Areas) Events. Sheppey Emus helped marshal the event which was compered by Adam Morrison on Saturday and Scotty Miller on Sunday.

Organisers have already booked the Sheppey Sports Ground at Halfway for next year's bash on July 18 and 19 which will feature Madness and Blondie acts.

Saturday host Adam Morrison at the Sheppey IsleFest. Picture: John Nurden (11225325)
Saturday host Adam Morrison at the Sheppey IsleFest. Picture: John Nurden (11225325)
Dancing Queens enjoying Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture Phil Lee (11198617)
Dancing Queens enjoying Abba Magic at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Sunday. Picture Phil Lee (11198617)
Some of the crowd at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Saturday. Picture: John Nurden (11225379)
Some of the crowd at Sheppey's first IsleFest on Saturday. Picture: John Nurden (11225379)

Who Are You at IsleFest, Sheppey

You can see more photos in this week's Sheerness Times Guardian and Sittingbourne News Extra out on Wednesday.

For more ideas for days out and things to do, head to our What's On section.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness

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