So you’ve decided. You’re going to Kimpton Folk Festival for the first time. You’ve visited kimptonfolk.uk, bought your tickets and Google-mapped ‘Kimpton’, so now you know where you are going, and who you are going to see. But what else can you expect? What’s this one-day festival actually like? Maybe it will go a bit like this.
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You navigate various narrow lanes and arrive at Kimpton where you follow a ‘free parking’ sign, ending up in a large field. After a quick trip to the handily-placed port-a-loo, you’re given a free programme and then directed to the Festival Office. After pausing briefly to glance at the map on the back page of your programme, you become momentarily distracted by a load of activity in front of you. Storytellling teepee, craft stalls, children’s games and more. It looks interesting so you make a note to check it all out later.
Without knowing quite how, you find yourself on the Village Green where a crowd is gathering in front of an open stage. Delicious smells waft from from food outlets ringing the green and look - there’s a real ale bar. But no beer yet. First you’ve got to get your tickets organised. As you head along Church Path you pause at the ‘busk stop’, dropping a few coins into the hat then continuing to the Festival Office where you exchange your ticket for a wristband.
Concerts now sorted, you glance across the road to The Boot pub where a Kimpton Folk Festival flag is flying and someone’s setting up a barbecue. You head inside for a quick drink, tap your foot to the jaunty jigs and reels of the sessioners and note that there will be ‘open mics’ later. Maybe get the guitar out of the car in a bit. You stroll back up High St. to the school where an Indian Dance workshop is advertised for 3pm, and then you come to the beautiful old Dacre Rooms where you note the beginners’ workshop schedule - ukulele, harmony singing, poetry and spoons.
It will be time to check out the Hall and Church stages later, but right now you’re feeling hungry. You amble back to the Green and browse the range of tempting street food stalls. And what to drink? Ale? Lager? Coffee? Soft drink? Pimms? Prosecco? Maybe a vintage ice cream. Decisions, decisions, choices choices. Your fold-up chairs are in the car, but for now, you’re happy to sit on a hay bale, study your free programme and let your festival day begin to unfold.
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It may or may not be like this for you, your family and your friends, but what I can say is that this year we will have more choices for you than ever before at this, our third Kimpton Folk Festival. We have many internationally acclaimed artists and lots more besides.
I hope you’re going to make it to Kimpton this year - we all look forward to welcoming you. Off you go then, and book your tickets.
Doug Jenner
Chair
Kimpton Folk Events
YOUR DAY AT KIMPTON FOLK FESTIVAL SATURDAY 7 JULY 2018
