SOUP in the Sticks festival will return this year after much anticipation ­— due to the festival being cancelled down to Covid.

The West Cumbrian music festival will be held at Derwent Park in the town this weekend.

The event organised by Workington DJ and nightclub owner Jonny Donat was previously held in Whitehaven.

However, it will now take place in Derwent Park where a number of his events have been held recently.

Jonny is pleased to see the return of ‘Cumbria’s biggest dance music festival’ after it’s absence down to the pandemic.

He said: “I’m buzzing for it.

“It’s been two years in the making. Covid struck just before we were meant to have the last one, so it’s been really well anticipated.

“We have sold a lot of tickets, we have sold more tickets than we did in the last one at Whitehaven so it will be good to see it go ahead.”

Aswell as popular local DJs such as the CBK Collective, Ryan Harris and Matt Reid, the event will see some big names from the world of dance music head to the town.

Ewan Mcvicar, an upcoming Scottish DJ who has just been named Britain’s Best Breakthrough Act, will play over the weekend, alongside internationally known dance DJ Hannah Liang.

Ben Hemsley, who has been praised by BBC Radio One DJ Annie Mac, will also make the bill.

The event is seen as a good way for young Workington DJs to mix with those who have gained fame in the industry.

Local DJ Cam Smith said: “Were all really pleased to be back at Soup in the Sticks having a good time with all our mates and being to play alongside some big names, it should be a really good weekend for everybody.”

Jonny wished to emphasis that although restrictions are no longer in force in England the team at Electric Soup and Soup in the Sticks strongly advised or people to get tested before attending the events and anyone with symptoms of Covid should not be attending the events.

The festival will run for two days between Saturday, August 14, and Sunday, August 15, with tickets starting at £20 for the two-day event.