Shrewsbury Folk Festival's vintage feast of music

The event, at the County Showground, in Shrewsbury, attracted 7,000 people from around the UK and was described as being a vintage year by organisers.

Event spokeswoman Jo Cunningham said: "It's been an absolute belter.

"We've welcomed some of the best folk artists in the world and the fans have had an amazing time. It's been a vintage year."

The fun was continuing throughout the afternoon with sets by some of the UK's best-known artists.

Event patron Steve Knightley, who starred on the festival's opening night on Friday, returned to the stage with John Jones for a Patron's Set.

Jones, best known for his work with the Oysterband, and Knightley, who normally features in Show of Hands, were joined by a number of friends.

British star Jim Moray was making a return to Shrewsbury to headline a Folk Slam, featuring a number of artists who had performed throughout the weekend.

There were plenty of other highlights for fans.

Two of the stars of Shrewsbury Folk Festival's Darwin Song Project, which released a CD in 2009 in memory of the town's great scientist, were making a welcome return to the town.

American Mark Erelli was one of eight participants in the Darwin Song Project, which played its final show at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in 2009.

He was thrilling fans today with his unique mixture of North American contemporary folk.

Jez Lowe, who was also part of the Darwin Song Project, was also returning to the event.

Lowe has been a regular visitor to Shropshire and the North East's foremost musical ambassador was playing a mix of traditional songs that focus on the characters and landscapes of Northern England.

The Be Good Tanyas – Frazey Ford, Trish Klein and Samantha Parton — were set to star this afternoon on their first visit to the town.

The trio formed in Vancouver in 1999 and captured the hearts of fans and critics alike for their unique mixture of deep country, early American folk, old-time blues and gospel.

Singer and visual artist Caroline Ballhorn, who toured on the sold out winter tour with the band, was joining The Be Good Tanyas in place of Sam Parton, who is recovering from a car accident.

Mrs Cunningham said: "People have had a great time throughout the weekend but there's plenty more to look forward to today.

"We like to start with a bang – and there were some great sets on Friday night, including one by Italian act Nidi D'Arac – and we keep the quality high throughout the weekend."

The Shrewsbury Folk Festival was founded by Shropshire husband-and-wife team Alan and Sandra Surtees, who formerly ran their event at Bridgnorth.

They moved to Shrewsbury when they outgrew Bridgnorth and initially staged their festival in The Quarry Park.

However, that also proved too small for their highly successful event and so they moved to their present home at the County Showground.

This year's event featured stellar performances from a number of big talents, including the Nic Jones trio, who thrilled fans on Friday evening. Jones was one of the most acclaimed artists to emerge from the British Folk Revival.

His sensibility and approach to the arrangement of traditional and contemporary folk songs has been a major influence on the folk scene since the early 1970's. Jones dazzled festival-goers with a sensitive set.

Afro Celt Sound System provided another highlight.

They helped to kick off the event with a set that showed why they have been popular since breaking onto the music scene in 1995.

The band fused West African rhythms, Irish traditional music and cutting-edge dance grooves that battered the senses and unleashed a wellspring of joy and liberation.

Their music incorporated other elements, including Indian bhangra, Arabic influences, dub reggae and more.

The festival brought a colourful atmosphere to Shrewsbury town centre, with many fringe events taking place.

There was a huge ceilidh marquee with masses of space for dancing and plenty of instructors encouraging people to have a go. There were also a series of workshops, giving people the chance to try Morris, Appalachian and other styles.

The festival's dance programme also featured events in The Square, St Mary's Church, St Alkmonds and a procession from the Castle to the Square on Saturday.

The fun continued yesterday when there were performances in similar venues, as well as Pride Hill and Shrewsbury Castle.

Youngsters were well catered for at the event with a special children's festival.

Event boss Alan Surtees said: "Our programme for kids has grown in the last couple of years and younger festival goers can enjoy plenty of excitement with activities, theatre, storytelling, circus skills and music.

"It all culminated in performances on the village stage and a magical lantern procession around the site last night, where musicians, children and parents proudly paraded around the site."

This year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival got in touch with creatures from another world – when it welcomed an alien invasion.

An art project focused on a family of aliens, who decided that the best place to discover more about humans and Planet Earth was Shrewsbury Folk Festival.

Alien families were wandering around and enjoying the festival and festival-goers were helping them to take holiday snaps.

Mrs Cunningham added: "There'll be a big celebration for our special alien guests this afternoon with crafts, dance, drama and music workshops."

There were plenty of musical highlights throughout the weekend with sets from former Fairground Attraction hit-maker Eddi Reader as well as long-time Shrewsbury Festival Favourites Oysterband.

Fay Hield and the Hurricane Party thrilled fans yesterday while Heidi Talbot also played a stunning set.

Mr Surtees said he was delighted with the festival and was also grateful to the many volunteers who had worked on site as stewards.