‘This is just what Lowestoft needed’ - First Light Festival kicks off under blue skies

Lowestoft beach fills up as First Light festival gets in to gear. Credit: Kyle Batley (Image: Archant)

And what better way to enjoy the inaugural First Light Festival, which celebrates the longest day of the year, than under bright sunshine, blue skies and warm temperatures.

Locals and visitors thronged the town's long esplanade on Saturday afternoon (June 22) on their way to the south beach, where the festival runs for 24 hours non-stop, from 12pm today to 12pm on Sunday.

People enjoying Kensington Gardens as part of the Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Teepees erected on the beach have been hosting craft workshops and yoga sessions while in another children sat listening to stories.

One was hosting a craft workshop while in another children sat listening to stories.

Print to the People print First Light Festival items at the Lowestoft festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

In a larger marquee partygoers were led in old-school dances like the Charleston and swing, while jazz played.

Earlier, on the main stage, Talvin Singh, who plays a fusion of Indian classical and electronic music, had opened the festival.

People enjoying Kensington Gardens as part of the Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Enjoying the show were Wymondham couple Nick and Kay Southgate, 56 and 54 respectively.

They heard about the festival a few months ago when its organiser, Wayne Hemingway, was interviewed on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Beverley Coraldean of Print to the People teaches Annette Pierson, right, how to print a t-shirt at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

"We thought it would be a really nice event," Mr Southgate said.

"We've been waiting for it for a while."

Print to the People printing First Light Festival items at the Lowestoft festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Mrs Southgate said the festival had a really good website.

Her husband said they had come for Talvin Singh's midday show and their plan was to later get a few hours sleep before waking at 4am for the sunrise.

A crowded beach for Lowestoft's First Light Festival, with the Sunlight Stage on the left. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

"One of the things that really appealed to us was to see music on the beach," Mrs Southgate said.

"It's nice and democratic," she added.

Enjoying the popular Beach Bar at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

"Because it's free, everyone is here."

Ojay Jones, 65, Claire Taylor-Haigh, 52, Maxine Johnston, 51 and Donna Oram, 53, are all volunteers at the festival, showing visitors where to find particular shows or amusements.

Enjoying the popular Beach Bar at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

They all agreed the town needed the festival.

Ms Taylor-Haigh said: "This is just what Lowestoft needed, because nothing here happens that much."

Yoga in the Well-being by the Waves wigwam at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

She noted the "community vibe".

"It's quite chilled," she added.

In step for the dancing at the Moon Dances Stage at Lowestoft's First Light Festival, led by Grounded Movement. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Some visitors had travelled from as far as from Hackney in London, having driven the two and a half hours on Saturday morning.

The festival celebrates the first light of midsummer's weekend in Britain's most easterly town and is a concept which evolved from the ongoing Lowestoft South Beach Vision project - a collaboration between internationally renowned designers Hemingway Design, led by Wayne Hemingway, East Suffolk Council and other local partners and businesses.

In step for the dancing at the Moon Dances Stage at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Arts charity FlipSide are delivering the festival in partnership with Hemingway Design.

The bulk of the funding for the event has come from a £100,000 award from Arts Council England and £80,000 from East Suffolk with further contributions from the council in subsequent years.

In step for the dancing at the Moon Dances Stage at Lowestoft's First Light Festival, led by Grounded Movement. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Yoga in the Well-being by the Waves wigwam at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Elise Day, eight, on the back of the dragon, at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Eddie Lambert, four, front, with Maya Day, five, and Elliott Barnard, four, inside the dragon on the beach at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Children paddle in the sea along with the straw 'Pakefield Man' at Lowestoft's First Light Festival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Nick and Kay Southgate, 56 and 54, from Wymondham, at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft on June 22. Picture: Daniel Hickey. (Image: Archant)

Ojay Jones, 65, Claire Taylor-Haigh, 52, Maxine Johnstone, 51, and Donna Oram, 53 volunteers at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Picture: Daniel Hickey. (Image: Archant)