The first week of August always sees a folk festival in my home town, and this year was no exception. 8 days of music, drinks, activities and good cheer was back in its full glory!
The 2020 event was cancelled for obvious reasons, the 2021 offering went ahead but was scaled back a bit, so this year we were back to the 2019 schedule (with a few twists but the general vibe was the same as where we left it 3 years ago).
This is one of the oldest events of this kind in the country, having started in 1955 (so not far off turning 70!) and has always been an offering championing traditional music, dance and song. And throw in some cider, and you have yourself a party!
All the pubs are full, plenty of activities there, along with crafts, kid’s activities, workshops, local ales at the bars, and with any luck basking in sunshine. This year was pretty good with the weather. That can really ruin the whole thing if it’s bad all week as it’s predominantly outside and just harder to enjoy it all when it’s pissing it down (technical term) or cold.
It’s also a week where the businesses of the town make the most of their money in the year. A good folk week sets them up well, a bad one (in general or just their establishment) means they won’t do so well.
It’s common for people to come from all over England and the world to enjoy the event. A lot of us from the town make a point of coming back for the week (or at least part of it), to enjoy the fun, but also as that’s what many others do, so an ideal opportunity to catch up whilst the town is alive in the festivities. Sidmouth has a slightly ‘older demographic’ in general and this event is enjoyed by all.
That’s not to say everyone loves it. You get a few complainers who would like nothing happening at all, lest there be noise or they’re inconvenienced slightly. But the majority are all for it, not least for financial and enjoyment reasons. It’s a unique event and just one week of the year after all.
As ever though, these things take it out of you. Whether it’s a festival, Christmas, stag do, long weekend, or HiveFest - a lot of talking, drinking and perhaps a late night or two really drains your energy. Starts off all fun and games (and this is part of it - peaking too soon!) but it becomes harder to summon the enthusiasm to do it all over again.
And that’s the thing, each day is a little different and you may run into other people you haven’t seen for a while, and the whole process repeats. You love it, but also want to be at home chilling out; that beautiful Party Paradox (did I just make up a term?).
With that aside, you do show up and you do get involved. And it really is a joy to catch up with all sorts of people, meet new characters, take in some music, and perhaps a tipple or 2.
This is also the time for reunions of all kinds that just don’t happen elsewhere or other parts of the year. Christmas is the other main occasion but that’s a little different, the weather more ‘indoorsy’ and a more family oriented affair for much of it.
A short vid on some of the activities in 2021 - Source
I was getting some street food at one of the stands and sat down at a table nearby to eat it, and got chatting with a lovely lady from the Peak District. She was surprised to hear that many of us locals actually enjoyed the festival. She thought we would disappear and avoid all that palaver. I said with me and many others, we may actually go off doing other things but try and ensure we are there that week (or a few days at least).
It’s an ideal scenario, good for socialising, good for businesses, and why not support a local festival. She seemed impressed and I told her to spread the good word when she returns home. These are the kind of interactions and happenings that take place, and it’s amazing to have such a tradition in your home town. Long may it continue!
Great to see this event back to full force this year. People enjoying themselves and getting on with having a good time. Now it can hopefully go from strength to strength and raise the bar once more next year and beyond.
I’m sure I’ll be there :)
Adam
@adambarratt
www.AdamBarratt.com
Images my own or linked to source / video linked to source