KIRKBY Lonsdale's music and beer festival will kick off this Friday.

The festival, which will be held at the town's rugby club, is making its return following its cancellation last year due to Covid, with organisers anticipating hundreds of visitors.

The club has been busy over the last few weeks preparing for the festival's return and the warm weather is raising hopes that this year will mark a triumphant return to form since lockdown.

The festival will take place between April 29 and May 1 at the Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club. 

Roy Denby, an organiser for the Kirkby Lonsdale festival, said: “The preparation is going well and all the beer has been delivered over today and yesterday.

“We are ready to go.

“It’s hard to say how many people will come down, but we have 100 people at least camping on the grounds at the moment and if the weather stays fine, we are looking at potentially 500 to 600 people coming down on both days.

“We have a lot of food stalls from the local area joining us, as well as a range of beers that have all been brewed within a ten-mile radius of the club.”

The festival will be boasting a line-up of beers including Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, who have been long-time supporters of the club, Lancaster Brewery, Fell Brewery, Farm Yard Ales, Bonus Beers, Bowland Brewery and Gan Yam Brew Co.

Roy added: “We have some fantastic acts that have been organised by Mark Warburton. We also have one of my favourite bands, Regimental, finishing off the festival on Sunday night.”

Those performing at the Kirkby Lonsdale beer and music festival include Meatwood Flack, Craic Inn, Regimental, The Rest, Tantrum, Ru Mac Music Reubens Train, Coastline, Flat Cap Trio, Rock It Man, Two Hoots, Kev Kendal, Cartoon Food, Jam Bubbies, James and Andy Candlin, Crow Mandala, Elder Flowers, D Plus, Nature Cult, Daisy Barrow, Matt and Jeff, Dawn Foster, After Hours Blues, Chuck Fish, John Dawes, Phil Cudworth, and Molly Warburton.

Singer and musician James Candlin said: “I'm feeling really excited for Kirkby festival.

“It’s the first one since COVID so hopefully it will be packed and everyone will be really happy to be there.

“It was a great atmosphere last time I played there with tons of great acts on, really looking forward to it.

“Great variety of music as well.”

Chuck Fish is a singer and guitar player from Washington State and has been performing live for over two decades.

He said: “I am really looking forward to getting back to one of my favourite festivals.

“It's been sorely missed during lockdown and it feels great to be out performing again.

“I think a lot of us didn't realize how important live music was until lockdown happened. It feels like everyone is ready to make up for lost time.”

For information vist @KirkbyLonsdaleBeerMusicFestival on Facebook.