The Maidstone Mela aims to celebrate the diverse cultures within the Borough through music, dance and food and has been organised in partnership by Maidstone Borough Council, Cohesion Plus and North West Kent Racial Equality Council.

This year for the first time the Mela will take place over 2 days. On Saturday 12 September Bhangra Superstar Jassi Sidhu and Mercury Queen Tribute Band will perform on the stage between 6pm -9pm, plus there will be an amazing light installation by Emergency Exit Arts to transform Mote Park which has been commissioned by Cohesion Plus and has been funded by Arts Council England.

On Sunday 13 September there will be stalls selling national and regional cuisine, displaying crafts and displays of national dress. While on the stage there will be a full programme of culturally diverse entertainment ranging from Bhangra to Hip Hop to Street Dance between 1pm and 6pm including an exciting fusion performance of music and dance by Four by Four and Mahua Arts.

Last year the Mela attracted in the region of 10,000 visitors and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better.

According to Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Cohesion Plus “This year we have worked very hard in partnership with local community groups and our partners to ensure that we have a Mela which caters for the diverse communities of the borough.  I am very pleased with the artistic line up and look forward to seeing how the Saturday night Mela concert goes down.  There is always a worry when you try something new at an established event such as the Maidstone Mela but I am confident that the local community will come out and support it”

Jassi Sidhu who will be performing in Maidstone for the first time commented “I am looking forward to playing in Maidstone.  I have heard some really good things about the Mela and hope that the communities will come and enjoy my brand of contemporary bhangra pop music”