My favorite festival is not really a festival, it's the summer picking camp of FOAOTMAD (Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance) at Sacrewell Farm, Peterborough. This year it's from 11th August 'till the 20th. It only costs £2-00 per day camping in a superb field with good facilities + restaurant + excellent farm and watermill museum (great for kids), with peacocks wandering around. We get around 40 or so assorted pickers (banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, stand-up bass, and the occasional dulcimer and autoharp. We play when we feel like it, which is often, in small or large sessions, and relax the rest of the time. If it rains, we have the Hen House - a large hall with chairs & tables and a stage.
The musical standard is excellent. Come to pick or just listen and watch for a day or a week - you're very welcome. Its so good, I'm coming back from Galax a day early!
Cheers
Ray