Get ready for another year of Love Rugby Festival

The Love Rugby Festival is returning this year from Saturday 20 June to Sunday 5 July, Rugby Borough Council has confirmed. 

The festival brings a two-week celebration of local art, live music, sports, culture and family entertainment this summer. It will coincide with Rugby School’s Festival on the Close.  

The festival will conclude with a ‘Couch to 5K’ fun run on Sunday 5 July. To help residents prepare for the fun run, they can access more information about Couch to 5K and training tips by visiting the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k. Details on how to sign up for the fun run will be announced soon.  

To encourage participation with the festival, Rugby Borough Council has opened applications for community grants to support the festival, similarly to last year. Up to £2,000 per application is available for arts and community groups to organise festival events and activities, while community sports clubs can receive up to £500 each to host free taster sessions and open days.  

Application forms can be found at rugby.gov.uk/loverugby and will close on Wednesday 22 April. Rugby Borough Council will regularly update this webpage as events and activities are announced.  

For more information about hosting a festival event or for support in promoting your event, contact the Town Centre Events team on loverugby@rugby.gov.uk or call (01788) 5333297.  

Cllr Maggie O’Rourke, Rugby Borough Council’s Labour group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “We’re excited for our second year of Love Rugby Festival and are eager to receive applications from businesses and community groups to host events.  

“We can’t wait to celebrate and bring together Rugby’s residents and beyond.” 

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “The council is offering grants of up to £2,000 for businesses and community groups to host events during the festival period. 

“Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to bring your event to life.”