MoFest organisers have pledged to return the event to its family-friendly origins this year with a zero-tolerance anti-alcohol message.
As preparations for the tenth year programme continue against the backdrop of concerns over the event’s long-term future, organisers say they want to get back to the real reason MoFest is staged and will be working with police to make sure Montrose High Street is an alcohol-free zone.
MoFest sees more than 12,000 revellers flock to the town each year to soak up the music and sunshine.
MoFest vice-chair Anne Jenkins said: “In 2014 as part of Event Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink campaign we licensed parts of the High Street to accommodate a broader range of vendors, including some serving craft beer and cocktails.
“While those were fantastic stalls and we understand people do like to have a cheeky Mojito in the sunshine, we do feel licensing the area sends the wrong message and perhaps promotes drinking, which is not what MoFest is about.
“This is the festival’s tenth year and it is important to us that the whole community comes along and has a great time.
“If you Google ‘music festival Scotland’ MoFest is the sixth entry – that’s quite an achievement and it has only been possible because of the phenomenal support the festival gets from the people of Montrose. That’s something for everyone to celebrate.
“There are byelaws in place that prohibit alcohol being consumed on the streets and this is no different during the festival weekend.
“We will be working with Police Scotland and Angus Council to encourage responsible and appropriate drinking and there will be a clear message – the High Street is an alcohol free zone.
“We are not trying to be the fun police but there are 25 venues all displaying our official MoFest venue banner taking part in the festival, the majority of which are licensed, so let’s keep the High Street for families.”
This year’s festival, from May 26 to 28, will see a number of new bands join old favourites as organisers have taken an ‘editor’s pick’ approach to applications.
Anne added: “Typically all applications to play the festival go into a listening group made up of members of the public, but this year alongside that process the committee have also invited bands they’ve come across throughout the years that we felt would go down well.
“We really want this year to be about the music so we’ve worked extra hard to get a great collection of acts lined up.”
Deacon Blue will open the anniversary celebration with an open air East Links gig on Friday May 26, with a second headline act, The Beach Boys closing the festival on Sunday evening.
