AROUND 400 folk music lovers and players of all ages are expected to travel to Numeralla for the Australia Day long weekend for one of the last traditional folk festivals in Australia.

Organisers of the completely free four-decades-old-festival, which will start Friday night January 24 and finish on Sunday, are expecting good crowds with lots of return visitors and new generations.

Spokesperson, Fran Robertson, said with free entertainment and free camping, the festival consistently attracted hard core 'folkies' as well as local families looking for a family-friendly event.

"We call it the little festival with the big heart and are very proud that it is one of the few free music festivals still running," she said.

"Numeralla takes great pride in being one of the last traditional festivals in Australia. There are no tickets and you don’t have to book – and the camping is completely free – just turn up. It’s a long weekend of music, dance, dips in the river, yarns around the campfire and convivial conversation.

"As each festival unfolds you can savour the talents and friendship of the people you meet. Some are old favourites you can’t wait to see again and some are delightful new surprises."

Highlights of the festival include the Friday night showcase, bush dances, and a blackboard concert – seasoned professionals and budding artists can chalk their name up to play a couple of songs, recite a poem, spin a yarn or entertain the crowd in any creative way.

Sunday morning’s markets have a variety of products. Amble about to sample the fresh food delights, pick up a bargain, listen to some Numeralla bluegrass music or have a cuppa. Dance and music workshops and kid’s activities are also programmed over the three days – no prior skill required!

While the traditional format will be adhered to and festival goers are encouraged to bring an instrument, join in the sessions around the grounds and camp, sign on for the Blackboard concert and enjoy the featured acts, they can look forward to a few new things this year.

An introduction to button accordion workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 10am; a drumming workshop will be held on Saturday at 11.15am at the hall.

While unlike other folk festivals there are no paid feature acts, some performers have offered their talent on Friday evening - Phil the bush poet from Corryong, a band Humbug and hopefully one other music item.

Sunday afternoon will feature a solo musician Ereignis and possibly another music act.

Camping is available either near the Badja Bridge or at the tennis courts and sites are first in best dressed.

Ms Robertson said a dedicated band of community volunteers will ensure the campgrounds and hall will be ready, the kitchen ready to provide home-cooked meals and goodies, the bar is stocked, and the barbecue sizzling.

"There are no shops in the village but you can eat heartily, from breakfast to supper, at the hall," she said.

"The kitchen is open from nine-ish in the morning until stumps each night, serving snacks, hot and cold drinks, delicious home-cooked meals and goodies. The barbecue serves a late breakfast and lunch opening from 9am until 3pm and drinks are available. The bar will be ready to go from 6pm on Friday until late and from 11am each day until late. Everything is very reasonably priced."

Numeralla Folk Festival has been running for more than four decades, providing a very social and entertaining weekend for folkies, visitors, and locals.

The kitchen, barbecue, bar, raffle and merchandise sales cover the costs of running the festival and allow for a small donation to be given to guest performers, community groups and buildings in the village including the volunteer bushfire brigades, churches, and hall.

"Supporting these sales ensures that the wonderful tradition of the Numeralla Folk Festival can continue, hopefully for many more years to come," Ms Robertson said.

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