Folk festival campers pitch perfect

MUSOS and campers have descended on the usually quiet town of Cygnet as the 36th Cygnet Folk Festival gets under way.

Tomoko and Sakura Woods were among those pitching tents yesterday.

The Huon Valley town is usually home to a population of about 1500, but that will swell to about 5000 this weekend.

This year’s festival will include performances by 124 acts, featuring about 470 performers.

Today’s program includes a “Sounds of the World” concert at Carmel Hall, a “Bluesy Afternoon” at the Cygnet Ex-Servicemen’s Club, a “Poet’s Breakfast” at the Willie Smith’s Paddock stage, and a full program at the Cygnet Town Hall, which will include a swing-dance workshop and family bushdance.

At the Loongana Park stage, The Shed Band, Girl on the Hill, The Sign and Hobart Ukulele Group will perform from 10am-12.30pm, followed by Dandyman & Ruby at 1pm, young performer awards at 2pm, and a “Lazy Afternoon in

the Park” featuring Southern Light, Kellie Watkins, The Stragglers, and The Sam & Colin Kucera Band from 3.15pm-6pm.

Last year’s festival broke attendance records, and artistic director Erin Collins said she expected this weekend’s event to sell out.

Official festival camping sold out more than four weeks ago as patrons got in extra early to secure a spot.