KIDS ROCK FESTIVAL
KIDS HAVE FUN AT KIDS ROCK
Rocking the Bay Stand Out chats to Katie Lawrence, founder of Kids Rock, a new festival that banned adults from attending unless accompanied by a child
KIDS ROCK 2021
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his summer, a rock festival that did not permit adults without a child took place at Joss Bay, Kent. Kids Rock is the brainchild of Katie Lawrence, a children’s entertainer, and director of Vibrant Events. She launched the concept in 2020, believing that there was a gap in the market for a family festival dedicated to rock music. “I visited Wheels and Fins festival in 2018 and thought Joss Bay was a great location,” Lawrence explained. “I got in touch with the landowner, who was very helpful, and then it was a case of going for it.” Lawrence started selling tickets for Kids Rock in February 2021. She began planning the festival before Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had revealed details of the
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reopening roadmap. She believed that if the festival could not go ahead, she would simply postpone until 2022. Will Hodgson, director of Symphotech, praised Lawrence’s bravery and enthusiasm. He said: “In May, Katie brought Symphotech in to help with Kids Rock. We came on board to look after safety and site plans and helped her to pull together her event licence.” Thanet District Council granted the licence for the one-day event. Hodgson believed that Lawrence’s decision to use RFID wristbands made the council’s decision an easy one; all children’s data and contact details could be stored on the wristband. It was the ideal solution in terms of safeguarding and managing risk regarding lost children.
Kids Rock comprised children’s entertainment, one stage, circus workshops, a funfair and food and drink. One child was permitted to bring a maximum of two adults. The aim was to sell 5,000 tickets. Lawrence sold 3,000. Hodgson continued: “Katie is inspirational and has so much get up and go; she is the future of our industry. To organise an event and take on all the problems that come with running an event, is a brave thing to do. As a company, we wanted to support her as much as we could.” Despite working in events, and specifically children’s event for more than 10 years, Lawrence admitted that Kids Rock taught her a few lessons. “I learned a lot,” she commented. “I learned I can’t do it on my own and I need to hire more people.” Lawrence is keen to expand the brand, beyond a one-day summer festival that runs from 12pm until 8pm. However, Hodgson did love the fact that the stage barrier was down by 10.30pm! “You have to support small companies because they grow into big ones,” he said. Lawrence has plans to grow: “I would like to take Kids Rock and have it in more than one area. But I want to focus on getting this one right first. I’d love to take the event to two days and add camping,” she concluded.
SUPPLIERS LIST Event safety – Symphotech Security – Rightguard Security Staging – Alistage Sound and light – Bandshop Sound and Light Waste – Countrystyle Recycling Toilets – Fresh Toilet Company Circus – Showtime Circus Cashless – Playpass
