Dorset Echo March 29 2004.

Show of Hands to head the bill for weekend folk event.

Top line-up for festival

An appearance by one of Europe's top acoustic bands will be the icing on the cake for this year's Weymouth Folk Festival. This is the third year that the weekend-long round of concerts, dances and parades has taken place and organisers are expecting it to be the best yet.

Topping the bill will be the West Dorset-based duo Show of Hands, who Q magazine described as 'like listening to U2 play folk', as well as Jez Lowe and the bad pennies. Other big names from the world of folk include Bob Fox, Mike Silver, No Strings Attached and Footnote and the town will also be full of buskers while the pubs will be hosting music sessions throughout the festival.

But it's not just music, Traditional dance also plays a major part in the weekend's events, with Morris and Appalachian sides performing at the Pavilion and in the town centre. For many visitors the visual highlight of the festival will be the dance parade through Weymouth's streets, staring at 1pm on Saturday, May 6.

Festival organiser and spokesman Bob Kirkpatrick explained: " the line-up is extremely good this year and while that's great news for us and the people who come here, it makes it a hard act to follow next year!"

"The good thing about having big names like Show of Hands at the festival, is that they have the date on their website so when people log on, they get to know about the festival and Weymouth too".

"Tickets are already on sale and are selling well and the financial side of things is looking good, so hopefully we won't make a loss like last year. People come to the festival for different reasons. Some come for the whole weekend to enjoy the food and beer and soak up the atmosphere, while other people just come along for one of the concerts. It's such a mix so we have to provide a lot of entertainment and a varied programme."

Bob is not the only person expecting the festival to be huge success. Weymouth's entertainments manager,
Simon King, also has great hopes for the weekend. "The attendance of Show of Hands at the festival is tremendous news and is a strong indication of the growing reputation of the event", he said. "with such a strong headliner, one of the country's finest festival locations and with such a great programme we are sure to be on to a winner." He added.

Weymouth Folk Festival runs from Friday to Sunday, May 7 to 9. For full details and ticket prices call Weymouth Pavilion box office on 01305 783 225.