GIRVAN Traditional Folk Festival is gearing up to celebrate 42 years of music, verse and story telling this Friday.

The event will run from Friday, April 29 until Sunday, May 1 and will host a series of concerts, sessions, open stage, competitions, workshops, children’s events and a camp site.

This year’s festival will feature: The Paul McKenna Band, Pete Coe, Johnny Handle and Chris Hendry, Brendan Hendry and Johnny Toman, Di Henderson, 3 Men and a Box, Jess Smith (Story Teller), Emma Spiers, Darcy and Pals, Mike Hancock as well as The Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band.

Girvan Folk Festival will start at 8pm on Friday with the last session at 10pm on Sunday, May 1. 

Graham Charlton, committee chair, said: “Welcome to the 42nd Girvan with yet another great and varied programme organised by Maggie. 

“We are always pleased to welcome some old friends and new guests to the festival and this year is no exception. 

“Again, we feature a tribute concert to Bobby Robb on Saturday afternoon – Bobby, with others, was instrumental in founding both the Folk Festival and Folk Club in Girvan way back in time. Both are still going strong.

Tickets and merchandise are available at our festival office at the Westcliffe Hotel from 11am to 6pm, Sat/Sun and from 3 to 6pm Friday. Tickets can also be purchased at events.”

There will also be a free bus service to the festival from Ballantrae, Barr, Pinwherry, Pinmore, Colmonell, Lendalfoot, and Barrhill.