Folk festival hits right note with crowds

" Debbie Grayson, Sam Beck, Ben Lewis and Jackie Fensom watch a Swedish folk dance at last weekends festival.

THE Illawarra Folk Festival's theme for 2007 was It's a Party', and with around 6000 people attending across the Australia Day long weekend it was one party that won't soon be forgotten.

This years 22nd annual Illawarra Folk Festival, was held at the Bulli Showground and was heralded as the best festival since the one 7 years ago in Jamberoo.

The biggest day of the festival, which boasted a massive125 acts, consisting of 500 performers, was Saturday, which attracted about 2000 people alone.

As well as listening to the wide range of live Folk music, people could participate in jam sessions, musical or dance workshops or watch dance demonstrations by any of the 40 talented dance groups.

Festival Director David De Santi took time out form the epic festival clean-up operation on Monday to sing the praises of this year's effort, which was the culmination of a whole years work by 150 unpaid volunteers.

" There was a lovely atmosphere. Lots of people came with their families. Overall it was fantastic," he said.

Despite being the largest Folk Festival in NSW, and experiencing a 20 percent increase in numbers from last year Mr De Santi and his co-organisers feel that the community spirit of the festival is more important than pulling in big crowds.

"We don't want it to be huge," Mr De Santi said.

" We don't want it to be Big Day Out. We haven't got any great ambitions. We just want to build on what we've got. We wont be making any more venues. There were 12 [venues] as it was and the ambience was great."

The highlights of the festival were international acts Rory McLeod from the UK and The Beez from Germany, but Mr. De Santi said the nature of the festival was such that there were almost infinite nooks and crannies sporting fun and entertainment for people to enjoy.

"It's not mainstream music but there's a lot of participants" he said.

"Folk Music has a large ground swell [because] it's about people.

"It was a happy and peaceful party with no trouble. A place people [could] come peacefully."

The planning for next year's festival began on Monday.

The theme for the 2008 festival will be "Australia on the Move' and will focus on the people and music of those who live on the move.

This year 250 groups and artists applied to play at the festival, applications for next year should open mid 2007.

The festival also sported a range of stalls selling goods such as tin whistles, clothing, CD's, beer and food, and attracted fans from as far away as England.