Popular village pub gearing up for annual music and beer festival

A popular Wrexham pub is putting the final touches to its popular annual music and beer festival which attracts hundreds of people from across the region.

The Golden Lion in Rossett will host ‘Live at the Lion’ festival from 23 – 25 August.

Now in its sixth year the event has grown to attract more than 2,000 guests to the two day event.

This year’s Festival will launch with a themed music quiz night held in the pub’s famous Scandinavian-style tipi followed by a packed programme of musical entertainment which will see 15 acts play over Saturday and Sunday across two stages, the main stage and the tipi stage.

Allan Parrington, general manager at The Golden Lion since 2009, has established the Hydes-owned pub as a real community hub for the people of Rossett and surrounding areas.

In addition to Live at the Lion, the venue hosts a free community cafe every Friday morning for local elderly and vulnerable people and also stages a hugely popular Christmas market over two weekends in November and December.

The market will return for Christmas 2024.

Allan, who also doubles at the village Father Christmas and chairman of the village community council as well as running the Golden Lion, said: “We can’t wait for this year’s festival at the Golden Lion. Excitement levels are very high.

Golden Lion manager, Allan

“It’s really important to us that this is a free event, as it makes it accessible to all, so parents with little ones can pop by for an afternoon drink and listen to the music and those that want a full weekend can stay as long as they want to.

“There’s usually a couple of thousand visitors across the weekend at various times so there’s a brilliant atmosphere and we’re expecting this year’s festival to be bigger and better than ever before.

“It’s lovely that our surrounding communities are so supportive of the event as it really does bring everyone together in a safe and enjoyable environment.

“This is festival number six and it’s gone from strength to strength every year with some amazing local and national acts now taking part.

“We’ve got a great line-up for this year. The Golden Lion loves being at the heart of village activity whenever it can and this is an important event in the local calendar.

“We’re also grateful for the continued support from Hydes in helping to make this happen.”

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers added: “It’s great to see The Golden Lion staging its famous beer and music festival for the sixth time.

“As a very popular pub and one that really does play a crucial role in the community, we’re confident that Allan and his team will put on a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable festival for customers old and new.

“Hydes is fully committed to all of the pubs across its estate and festivals such as this help to distinguish our pubs from that of our competitors.”