NEWPORT County AFC and the Supporters Trust, in association with businessman Iftekhar Haris, have announced they are launching a Newport County festival.

The event, set for July 21, will be an all-day affair featuring three stages of talent and fun for all the family as some of Gwent’s finest bands, dancers, entertainers and DJs come together to perform at the club’s home of Rodney Parade.

Kicking off at 2pm, there will be plenty to keep little ones occupied as well as a chance to meet the club and county players.

The event will include performances from GLD School of Dance, Bella Bella Dance Studios, South Wales Saints cheerleading team, skateboard and scooter demonstrations, football competitions from the Newport County teams, street performers and meet and greet opportunities with County players.

Mr Haris, one of the organisers said: “We are just waiting for confirmation for the date, but it looks like it will definitely be the 21st. It’s a Sunday, so it will make a great family day out.

“The idea is to really celebrate County and their recent successes. We want to attract newand younger supporters to the club and this is the perfect way to do that.

“Not just that, but as I’m sure most people are aware, there’s not really a lot going on in Newport, so it’s nice to have an event like this for the whole family to enjoy.

“We want to encourage that sense of community pride.

There really is something for everyone, and we’ve got three stages for all sorts of entertainment and music.”

Bands performing include 2 Rude, a Ska tribute band, who will play the very best of the 2 Tone era, recreating the live sound of bands like The Specials, Madness, The Beat, Bad Manners and more.

Other bands and performers include Houdini Dax, 4th Street Traffic, Innovence, The Pretty Visitors, The Red Rebel Patriots, Paint Happy, Zinc Bukowski, New Tradition, Join The Revolution, TaffyWasAThief, Luke Beasley, Alex Davies, Tobias Robertson, Richard O’Hara, Paul Thomas, Arianne, Michael Hurley and Joe Kelly. Tickets are £3 and will be available closer to the time.

For more information, visit the event page on Facebook ‘Newport County AFC Festival 2013’.