©John Wright Studio
Organisers of Warwick Folk Festival are delighted to announce that the popular Festival will return for its eagerly awaited 42nd year from Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 July as well as moving to an exciting new location at ‘Castle Park’.
The new location, which is next to Warwick Castle and even closer to town, means all the principal venues and camping are on one site. Having been postponed for the last two years, the organisers are thrilled to be staging the family-friendly festival which brings the local community together for a celebration of folk history, dance, and general revelry.
Headline acts will include Festival Patron and internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist ‘Will Pound’ as well as ‘Show of Hands’, ‘The Young’uns’, ‘Seth Lakeman’, ‘John Spiers and Jon Boden’ plus the award-winning ‘Nancy Kerr’ – the 2015 Folk Singer of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Younger visitors can also enjoy plenty of entertainment from acts including Boundless Brothers, Dom Prag, Janice Burns & Jon Doran, Katie Spencer, The Canny Band, Zach Johnson, Chris Elliott and Caitlin Jones, Granny’s Attic, Georgia Lewis & Ross Grant, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Inlay. There will also be a full programme of activities for 12 – 18 year-olds with perennial festival favourites ‘Panic Circus’, puppetry with ‘Hand to Mouth Theatre’, and funny man ‘Wolly the Clown’.
Nancy Kerr ©John Wright Studio
Visitors can be assured that the planners and Festival stewards are very COVID aware and will be keeping everything clean and everyone safe. As well as the Main Marquee which will have some sides open to allow the air to circulate, there will also be the Ceilidh Tent and a smaller outdoor stage. There will be hand sanitisers and plenty of space for social distancing. An extra field has been added to the site to allow campers to spread out.
Dick Dixon, Festival Director said “We are so looking forward to our 42nd festival, especially in such a beautiful location with views across the banks of the Avon. From feedback, we know our festival-goers are looking forward to a fantastic weekend of superb music, camping, workshops, singing, dancing, sessions, and giggles at what is one of the friendliest and most established folk festivals around. Whether you’re a seasoned regular or a newcomer, we look forward to seeing you this summer!”
The Fleece Inn at Bretforton will be offering around 36 ales including many from local brewers at Church End, Church Farm and Purity along with a range of ciders. The food court will continue to offer top festival food from all over the world from breakfasts to snacks and full evening meals.
Visitors can also enjoy a full programme of concerts, sing-around, dance, intimate acoustic performances, or full-on gigs. They can soak up the atmosphere, sit in the beer tent, join in with the sessions, learn a new skill, taste street food, or relax with friends in the wine and cocktail bar. This year the craft fair will be even more varied with lots of exciting new traders. In the town centre there will be a vast array of colourful dance displays, pub music sessions and open-air concerts.
A free and scheduled shuttle bus will also be laid on to take visitors from the site into the town for those wanting to explore the attractive, winding streets offering a wide range of shops and restaurants as well as plenty of places to enjoy a coffee or beer.
Tickets have been held at 2019 prices and there are no booking fees. Early bird tickets are on sale until 30 April and are expected to sell out quickly. Festival-goers are therefore advised to book their tickets ASAP and take advantage of the savings. Weekend ticket prices start from just £130. Visitors can choose from Friday – Sunday tickets, Thursday – Sunday tickets or just visit for the day, plus under 14s go free! Visitors can get a 10% discount off Lodges and Glamping at Warwick Castle at https://www.warwickcastlebreaks.com/corporate-10-percent-discount.html
For more information and to book tickets please visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk
