Your folk fest is here in Warwick all weekend

The 34th festival was launched by a hip hop and breakdance show by a mass of young performers at the Bridge House Theatre last night (Thursday). The youngsters had been preparing for the show since May by working on a project managed by Helen Meeke, who said: “Warwickshire County Music is hoping to attract musicians for a youth folk band to appear at future festivals. It’s a great opportunity for the young people involved to work with professional artists and to be part of one of the country’s leading folk festivals.”

As well as a host of concerts and street performances by local, national and international folk musicians, the event includes a festival showground at Warwick School, at which children and adults can listen to music, watch dancing displays and Guide Dogs agility shows, try their hand at circus skills and stilt-walking, explore the world of ‘Mad Science’ and learn more about bees.

There will also be real ales and ciders on sale, as well as a large range of global cuisine on offer and cold drinks, coffee and tea. A free shuttle bus runs between the festival site and Warwick town centre so people can dip in and out of on and off-site events.

Festival director Dick Dixon said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming local people to the festival site and for them to discover what their festival brings to Warwick.

“A family ticket costing only £10 gives access to entertainment for all the family. So what better place could there be than at Warwick Folk Festival in this fabulous balmy weather?”

For details, visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk