SKATEBOARDERS in Oxford are hoping to get cash towards a new skatepark with the help of rock and roll.

Dozens of musicians are tuning up for the Out to Graze festival, which takes place this weekend near Thame in support of the Oxford Wheels Project.

Up to 500 people are expected at the event, which is now in its third year and is being held in Ickford Road, Shabbington.

Festival spokesman Nick Gladwin, who owns Baby Simple in Cowley Road, Oxford, said: “It’s an Oxford festival for Oxford people. It’s just down the road.

“We’re always very keen to use local acts, and we have really built a reputation around that.”

Mr Gladwin, 33, who lives off Hollow Way in Cowley, said the festival was focused on dance music but also featured reggae, ska, funk and soul.

As well as enjoying more than 40 acts, music lovers can take part in a mini-Olympics as well as looking at art installations and graffiti walls. There will also be a Bedouin tent featuring a 24-hour organic food cafe.

Headlining the two-day event, which kicks off this evening, will be disc jockeys Krafty Kuts and Peace Division.

Oxford bands performing at the festival include Mackating, and Jewels & the Jacuzzis. Oxford disc jockeys Emily Williams and Rich Smith will also take part.

The festival is being organised by the people behind three Oxford club nights — Simple, Slide and Bassmentality.

Mr Gladwin said a slice of the profits made from the festival would be given to local skateboarders campaigning for a new site. Fellow festival spokesman Autumn Neagle said: “Perfect weather and a great crowd in 2008 made Out to Graze one of the highlights of our summer.

“This year we are really pleased to announce that Krafty Kuts will be headlining the Simple/Slide stage on the Saturday night.

“Bring your rasta dreads, skankin’ shoes and funky afros as Saturday’s bands are guaranteed to make you move your feet.

“Out to Graze is proud to be supporting the Oxford Wheels Project, whose tireless campaign to bring a brand new concrete skatepark to Oxford is gathering pace by the second.”

Members of the Oxford Wheels Project are currently lobbying to find a location for a new skatepark and BMX facilities to replace the crumbling ramps in Meadow Lane, East Oxford.

Festival tickets cost £40, including camping, and are available from wegottickets.com/f/713 or Baby Simple in Cowley Road, Oxford, and Ryouki shoe shop in St Ebbes Street.

esimmonds@oxfordmail.co.uk For more information on the festival, log on to outtograze.com