THE annual Upton Folk Festival will be bringing its traditional blend of colourful sights and sounds to the riverside this weekend.

Over four days from Friday, May 1 - Monday, May 4 an impressive array of local and national talent will be performing in the streets and in venues around Upton in a variety of free and ticketed events.

The 2009 festival marks the event’s 20th anniversary, and promises the usual array of concerts, ceilidhs, dance displays, and workshops during a packed weekend of entertainment.

The popular free dances under the bridge are set to return, and as ever there will be a host of spontaneous street acts and opportunities to join in making music at numerous Folk Clubs taking place over the weekend.

One of the traditional highlights of the Folk Festival is the grand procession and this year should be no exception, with more than 50 Morris sides expected to make their way through the town on Sunday morning.

Some of the headline names performing at this year’s festival include Belshazzar’s Feast, The Tindalls, Little Rumba and Calan.

However Lisa Warburton, one of the festival’s organisers, was keen to emphasise the huge free “Fringe” aspect of this year’s event.

“There will be loads of free events, including street theatre, dancing, music sessions, singing, ceilidhs under the bridge, a craft fair and an open mic session on Friday,” she said.

Anyone is welcome to visit Upton and soak up the festival atmosphere over the weekend. Full weekend tickets, allowing entry to all events, cost £50, and single day tickets and tickets to individual events (prices range from £2-£8) can also be purchased. For more details visit www.uptonfolk.org or call Upton Tourist Information Centre on 01684 594200.