THE ever-popular Lake District Folk Weekend is returning to Staveley this weekend, with a line-up jam packed with artists from all walks of the folk genre.

Taking place all over the village, hundreds are expected to turn out from all over the country and fill the bars, cafes and stages, enjoying musical performances, dances and workshops.

This year sees the programme expanded to include more of everything, with daytime events being free for all while the evening gigs and shows will be ticketed.

Organiser Sandra Harrison said: “We are really quite excited for the festival this year. It has kept on growing year on year and we just love seeing the village fill up.

“We have had a great response so far. Lots of tickets have sold and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come to the village, get involved, possibly play themselves and also to support the local businesses.

“This year we are building on the success of the ceilidh that took place last year. We have the highly regarded Melrose Quartet performing a gig on the Friday and they are accompanying the ceilidh. The interesting and unusual thing is that they sing during some of the dancing.

“There is also a lot of Americana on this year, which is always very popular and has a large following in this area.

“I am particularly looking forward to watching a band from the North East called Assembly Line. They have an American lad in the band and I have never seen them live before. They have a great reputation among Americana communities.”

The festival, which takes place across August 3, 4 and 5, begins on the Friday at 2.30pm. On Saturday proceedings take place between 10am and 1am, and the events end on Sunday at 11pm.

A major addition to the festival this year is the variety of free workshops on offer.

These are led by some of the biggest names in their specific art, and people can go along to learn things like rapper and clog dancing, can play the guitar or singalong with folk favourites.

Sandra added: “All daytime events like the workshops will be totally free for everybody. We just want to see the village lively and full.

“I think Staveley has a charm, which is why people keep coming back year on year, even those from far away.

“This year the programme for the festival is so varied that there will be something for everybody, no matter what their taste in folk music is.”

The Lake District Folk Weekend is a not-for-profit festival. Any money made goes into the organisation of the next festival.