THE four-day Purbeck Valley Folk Festival (August 16-19) is one of the biggest events in Dorset’s annual calendar.

With more than 70 folk, roots and world music acts, organisers say “there will be something for all ages”. The line-up includes Richard Thompson, Beth Orton, King Cresote, Trad.Attack!, this year’s BBC Folk Award winner Siobhan Miller and nominees Elephant Sessions, O’Hooley & Tidow, Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys.

Festival-goers can also get involved in other activities including kids’ workshops, poetry, storytelling, music and craft workshops, singing/tune sessions, a space-hopper obstacle course and the ever-popular beard competition.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke says: “Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is great for families and this year we have more kids stuff than ever. The site has enough room and grassy areas for them to run around - we even have room for the now famous space-hopper obstacle course!”

Catherine added: “We’re always striving to be more than just another music festival and to create an unforgettable experience for the whole family. We have absolutely loads for kids, and unlike other festivals, all of these things are free.” We believe that once you’ve paid to come into the festival, you shouldn’t have your kids pestering you for more money for this, that and the other. We decided that the money that comes in from kids tickets would be spent on cool stuff for kids, so that’s what we do.”

As well as some fantastic music, there will be lots of delicious food on offer. Foodies can tuck into chilli, Thai dishes, paella, pizza, crepes, posh burgers and Cuban sandwiches, gourmet grilled cheese toasties and roast haunch of venison. Vegetarians will also be well catered for.

Real ale and cider fans will be in heaven with a great selection of locally produced drinks to choose from. The best local breweries will be bringing you some of their finest tipples to keep festival-goers refreshed from draft beers to scrumpies and fruity ciders.

With so much to enjoy it’s worth snapping up tickets soon for the festival’s annual summer outing. Also, keep your eyes peeled for further acts to be unveiled over the coming months.

Tier 2 tickets are now available with camping from £116 (youth £66, children age 4–11 £36). Visit purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk