Free beach festival to return for its fifth year

Thousands of people are expected to attend the UK's only free beach festival this weekend.

First Light Festival will take place on South Beach in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on Saturday and Sunday for its fifth year.

A range of musical acts and dance performances are scheduled across the two days while there will also be a community catwalk for the second year running.

As temperatures are expected to near 25C over the weekend, the NHS is urging people to stay safe in the sun.

This year marks the fifth instalment of the festival.

It is organised by First Light Festival Community Interest Company (CIC), a not-for-profit organisation based in Lowestoft.

The charity said on its website it aims to "shine a spotlight on our incredible part of the world".

The festival itself has a partnership with the borough and county councils and Arts Council England and it is held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice.

It is completely free to attend and a ticket is not required unless you plan to attend one of the Sundown events on Saturday night in the town following the end of the beach programme.

Each year the festival enjoys an opening parade, with this year's kicking off from East Point Pavilion at 11:00 BST.

From here visitors can enjoy a range of musical acts across the festival's stages.

However there is much more than can be enjoyed including yoga sessions, line dancing, comedy shows for children, talks, poetry and even cloudspotting for beginners

A full schedule of events is available on the festival's website.

From 12:00 to 21:30 on Saturday, the beach will be filled with activities as well as Kensington Gardens just off the beach.

From 22:00 to 02:00 the festival moves into the venues around the town for the ticketed Sundown events.

On Sunday, people will gather from 03:30 to 05:00 to watch the sunrise as part of the summer solstice.

From 10:00 until 16:00 the rest of the events kick off on the beach again.

Festival organisers are keen to encourage visitors to make use of public transport where possible or walk/cycle to the event.

There are cycle routes to the festival side and there is free bicycle parking.

Train operator Greater Anglia will run an additional late train from Lowestoft to Ipswich on Saturday to help people get hope.

The additional service will depart Lowestoft at 23:05 and arrive at Ipswich at 00:32.

For those travelling onwards to Stowmarket and Diss, a train from Ipswich will depart at 00:39.

Bus services are also available with the nearest stop being Claremont Pier.

For those who have to travel by car, there is a park and walk site located at Kirkley & Pakefield Football Club which costs £5 for the day of £8 for both days.

Forecasts suggest Lowestoft will see plenty of sunshine over the festival with highs or 22C on Saturday and 24C on Sunday.

Dr James Mapstone, a consultant in public health at West Suffolk Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds, has five tips people should follow during the hot weather:

1. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
2. Keep homes and buildings cool by keeping blinds and curtains shut during the day
3. Avoid the sun between 11:00 and 15:00
4. Wear loose, light clothing
5. Consider the vulnerable including children, the elderly and those with conditions

As well as First Light Festival, there are a number of other big events taking place over the weekend.

Take That's Gary Barlow will be performing at High Lodge, Thetford Forest on the Suffolk/Norfolk border on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, St Elizabeth Hospice kicks off its Hop to it! art trail in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Beccles and Lowestoft.

On Sunday, Ipswich's Cornhill will play host to the Suffolk Windrush Celebration where there will be music, market and food stalls and an exhibition from Suffolk Windrush and the Suffolk Black Community Organisation.

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