I go to see favorite artists, new artists, ones I havn't seen before.
Go to workshops. To see dance displays and occasionally a music session (if I can find one that isn't all diddly diddly).
The good thing about seeing an artist at a festival is that you don't see too much of them, ie: 20 - 30 min spots. So if you like them you can go back for more & if you don't it's not too long to endure. This 'sample' you can then apply at your folk club when you get home if you're not sure whether to go & see such & such a body.
I've been into a couple of singing sessions at festivals, but these are not for me. Talk about "sitting on your arse ego watching" (see the first post). I found them very cliquey. (That will upset a lot of mudcatters).
Incidently in the last couple of weeks iv'e been to Cleethorpes Fest and two dance weekends & I never heard the F word once. A refreshing change to be amongst people without a limited vocabulary. Unfortunately at another festival I had a friend who was threatened with violence "if you ever come to another session i'm running i'll break every bone in your f-ing body"! Nice eh?
Cheers
Les