Paul Rivard, festival director, announces details for the first ever London Beatles Festival, May 2, 2016. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)Paul Rivard, festival director, announces details for the first ever London Beatles Festival, May 2, 2016. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
London

Downtown Set To Become Beatlestown

Fans of the Fab Four will come together in downtown London this weekend.

The first ever London Beatles Festival kicks off at 6pm Friday with tribute band BeatleMania Revisited playing an all-ages show on the stage on Clarence St., near Queens Ave. The outdoor stage will host a free celebration of everything Beatles over the festival's three day run.

The public library’s Wolf Performance Hall will be the main festival site with top name tribute artists set to perform in multiple genres. While several downtown clubs have signed up as “satellite venues” hosting late evening shows.

Festival Director Paul Rivard says tickets for the Wolf Performance Hall shows have been selling extremely well, raising hopes the festival will be a major draw.

"This being our first year we have to be very modest. In the beginning we thought, lets just say 4,000 people," says Rivard. "Now we know people are coming in from all around the province, we have people from the US coming and from as far away as Spain."

Rivard guarantees the catalogue of Beatles music being showcased will be extensive.

"It's not just everybody playing the top ten Beatles songs. There are so many Beatles songs that are out there, there is going to be so much that people are going to be able to hear," says Rivard. "People of all ages love the Beatles and we expect to see downtown turn into Beatlestown."

Even for those who may not be the biggest enthusiasts of the band, Rivard is confident this festival has something for everyone.

"We have a Yellow Submarine kids zone because we wanted to be able to provide something for the whole family," says Rivard. "We also have The Octopus's Garden, a beer garden with indie bands, local tribute bands, and DJs."

The not-for-profit festival is raising funds for the Brain Injury Association London and Region.

For more information visit www.thelondonbeatlesfestival.com.

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