Suffolk’s premiere music festival will have a rival this weekend – with one of the county’s market towns set to stage its own event.

While Latitude is in full swing at Henham Park, Saxmundham will be rocking it up at the Memorial Field.

The town is staging its first ever Sax Music Fest, a one-day free festival with 14 bands aimed at families but especially its young people – and featuring some of them, too.

Brook Farm Residents’ Association is staging Saturday’s 11-hour event, which replaces the town’s annual carnival.

An association spokeswoman said: “Over the past number of weeks, there have been a number of music workshops for the youth of the area for guitar, singing and dance with the objective of providing a meeting point for like-minded youngsters and then to showcase their efforts on a professional stage as they will be the first acts of the day.

“The bands and singers range from amateur to semi-professional and professional; from choir to rock, to a finale showcase of The UK Beach Boys tribute band, an eclectic mix for the whole family.

“Like all good events there will be a selection of food outlets, a large covered licensed bar, children’s activities and fairground rides.

“Just one request. As part of our license no alcohol will be allowed to be brought on to the site.”

The day at the Memorial Field runs from 11am to 10pm and as well as the UK Beach Boys, the event’s line-up includes Jade, Hot Tramp, Mechanism Quintet, Handle with Care, Abbigail Harrison, Echoes and Halos, The Rabble Chorus, Miss Murder, Highs and Lows, Brian Hardman, Differential, The Alibi Club and the Never Readys.

Between 12.30pm and 3.30pm there will also be activities at the Fromus Centre community hub, organised by the Saxmundham and District Community Interest Company.

These will include a pop-up licensed café with live music, while outside there will be Morris dancing groups, a Punch and Judy show, crafts and plants for sale, and a barbecue run by the Rotary Club of Saxmundham and District.

SADCIC volunteer director and chairman Don Tricker said: “The events are particularly aimed at young families and older residents as they dovetail with the main bands for the youth, but all are welcome to come along.”

The residents’ association gained funding from the National Lottery, Magnox, EDF Energy, David Wilson Homes, Taylor Wimpey and district councillors Sir Peter Batho and Marian Andrews, and others.