Reepham Summer Music Festival celebrates its 10-year milestone this weekend and promises to be another diverse musical extravaganza.

Eastern Daily Press: Ranking Roger of The Beat, who will be performing at Reepham Festival in 2017. Photo: Jim StokesRanking Roger of The Beat, who will be performing at Reepham Festival in 2017. Photo: Jim Stokes (Image: Archant)

The 2017 event, which is being headlined by Two Tone ska stars The Beat, marks a decade since this grassroots festival was created by a group of music-loving town locals. Over its 10 year history the non-profit event has given the community a wonderful weekend of entertainment and raised thousands for local good causes.

The festival has been expanded to two days but still offers an intimate laidback musical experience in the beautiful Norfolk countryside. It stages a mix of established names, top tribute bands and upcoming young performers.

The diverse music programme on two stages ranges wildly and wonderfully from acoustic to alternative, blues, classical, Celtic, folk, jazz, pop and rock.

Legendary 2-Toners The Beat featuring Ranking Roger will headline Rookery Meadow on Saturday. One of the biggest bands of the 2-Tone movement with a string of hits includes Mirror in the Bathroom, Too Nice To Talk To and Ranking Full Stop, that fuse ska, pop, reggae and punk.

Eastern Daily Press: Lisa Redford who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: SubmittedLisa Redford who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant)

They will be topping a line-up which includes the long-awaited return of Thin Lizzy tribute band Limehouse Lizzy. Norfolk festival favourites rock band Walkway, who have previously supported everyone from The Darkness to Black Stone Cherry and Status Quo, will also be performing as will rock/ska/funk band Jeramiah Ferrari.

Heralded by legendary BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Bob Harris as 'one of our finest singer/songwriters', Lisa Redford will perform her much acclaimed mix of country, folk and Americana, while Georgia Shackleton will be bringing her trio influenced by British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions, with a regional twist from her native East Anglia.

The programme, which will be 20 acts strong in total, has a heady mix of rock, blues, country and folk that is guaranteed to get the whole family dancing, including more chilled-out acoustic performers appearing at St Mary's Church in the town.

Other taking to the stage Bad Touch, The Wise Naïve, Affairs, Rews, The Extons, Arcelia, Rolin Durier, and exciting new singer/songwriter Alfreda.

Eastern Daily Press: Entertaining the crowds at the popular community run Reepham Festival. Photo: Antony KellyEntertaining the crowds at the popular community run Reepham Festival. Photo: Antony Kelly (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

On Sunday, the festival moves to Whitwell & Reepham Station which will also host a special pre-festival gig by The JB Band/Parallel Times who will kick the festivities off with their potent blend of Blondie hits on Friday night.

The festival has cultivated a reputation for excellence over the past decade, bringing musicians from diverse genres onto their bill and creating a family-friendly weekend of fun. The organisers have fought to keep ticket prices affordable and donate profits to local charities.

Festival director Steve Jenkins said: 'It's hard to believe it's been 10 years already. We can't wait to welcome The Beat and to enjoy incredible music from all our bands and artists.

'Each year, our team work tirelessly to put it all together. When we dreamt up this crazy idea in the pub one evening, we never imagined it would end up being such a great success.'

Eastern Daily Press: Rock band Bad Touch who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: SubmittedRock band Bad Touch who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant)

• Reepham Festival takes place at Rookery Meadow, Reepham, August 12-13. Weekend tickets £30, £1 under-16s. Full ticket and festival details at reephamfestival.co.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Georgia Shackleton Trio who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: James de Ara TorresGeorgia Shackleton Trio who will be performing at Reepham Festival. Photo: James de Ara Torres (Image: Copyright James de Ara Torres All Rights Reserved)