Big crowds are expected in Burnham-On-Sea today (Saturday) as the tenth annual FolkFest brings a day of non-stop music and entertainment to the town centre.
The festival officially opened last night (Friday) at The Princess Theatre with an impressive concert by up-and-coming youngsters Coco & The Butterfields.
Saturday will see free live music in six venues from 1pm till 11pm at The Princess Theatre, The Ritz, The Royal Clarence Hotel, the Waterfront, the Somerset & Dorset, and the Victoria Hotel. Download a complete schedule here.
Stand-out acts include Calico Jack, pictured, Jack Ratts, The Drystones, The Leylines, Bruise, Rosie Eade, FOS Brothers, Fly Yeti Fly, Wildwood Kin, The Thatchers, Mac Seka and Steve Turner.
There will also be a juggling show from Marky Jay on the High Street at 11.30am on Saturday, plus stilt-walkers and living statues from 10.30am-4pm.
There is also a traders market in the High Street, a bugs and butterflies-themed Kidzone at the Baptist Church from 10.30am-4pm with a magic show at 2.30pm; plus a venue new to Folkfest – Poets Corner at the Crafty Teacup cafe, inviting poets to perform between 11am and 4pm.
There are free music lessons for all abilities at the Baptist Church in the afternoon: Penny Whistle with Rosie Eade at 2pm: Songwriting with Bruise at 3pm: and Accordion with Steve Turner at 4pm.
There will also be traditional dancing from 10.30am with Chalice Morris, Tiger Feet and Stockport Morris. Teeshirts may be purchased from ‘Folkfest Command Centre’ at the Baptist Church.
Programmes can be purchased there too plus at all participating venues and from stewards on the street – the stewards are working to raise money for Hillview Carnival Club. Look out for shops in the town centre taking part in Folkfest-themed shop window competition too.
Sunday will see the action move to the Manor Gardens where there will be a bar, burgers, Kidzone, traders’ market, ice cream and dancing from Chalice and Tiger Feet.
Acts appearing at this free concert will be 1pm Sam Patten: 2pm The Sea Kings: 3pm Thirsty Jenny: 4pm Triple Threat: 5pm Leatherat.
Folkfest Chairman Dom Wills said: “We think this year, for our tenth anniversary, we’ve put on the best bill yet, and we really hope the people of Burnham get behind the festival once again. We’ve had a great time for a decade – why stop now?”
