LAST year’s family folk festival on Poole Quay was enjoyed by more than 10,000 visitors over the two days of free music.

Now organisers are hoping to repeat that rip-roaring success with this year’s Folk on the Quay on June 28 and 29.

The quayside will again be transformed into an arena dedicated to the best live folk music and dance in the UK and beyond, with plenty of chances to join in.

There will be three outdoor stages for international musicians and the cream of the local folk scene to perform their sets, with more than 20 music acts entertaining the crowds.

Event organiser Paul Burke said: “The great thing about folk is the collaboration. Some of the best moments are when musicians just take the chance to enjoy each other’s company and play in combinations that you wouldn’t normally see.

“It’s incredibly friendly and welcoming and last year the acts had a great time. I can see it becoming one of the regular stops on their tours.”

On Saturday from 11.30am there will be a massive display of folk dancing on the quay featuring 27 colourful sets, demonstrating a huge range of styles.

In the afternoons there will be the best of young fun ceilidh bands on the main stage.

There will be music from 12.30pm until 9pm, with the main stage outside the Thistle Hotel featuring Anglo Irish outfit The Churchfitters at 3pm and energetic Balkan style headline act Sheelanagig at 8pm.

Live music continues into the evening at many of the quay’s pubs and bars at the event developed by Poole Tourism working with event organisers Paul and Catherine Burke.

On the Sunday performances begin at 11.30am and finish at 7pm with headline act Rory McLeod and the Familiar Strangers taking to the main stage at 3pm.

n Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism Partnership, said: “There is huge interest in Folk and lots of exceptionally talented young musicians and singer song writers are coming through.

“Some acts are returning but there are also plenty of musicians new to Poole with fantastic reputations.

“Last year was such a huge success, so for anyone missing their Glastonbury fix, Folk on the Quay is a must.”