The Tamar Valley Folk Festival brought artists and visitors from far and wide to George Town over the weekend.
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Many prominent artists synonymous with folk such as Damien Leith and Hetty Binns were in attendance.
However, the festival hosted many artists from the region hop onstage and show their talents.
Festival organiser Chris Atwell said it was great to see local artists, such as Scott Haigh as well as Maggie and Jack Taylor, play their music at the festival having grown up with it.
“They’re local people who’ve grown up with the festival,” she said.
“They’ve come up through the ranks and we now give them places on our program, they’re very good.”
Folk artist Matthew Dames of Launceston also said festival founder Mick Flanagan had helped shape the festival into something that fosters local talent.
“He [Flanagan] started the thing and he’s been a George Town man for a long time,” Dames said.
“He’s really got that going and created a new showcase in the town to bring out people like Scott Haigh which is a local talent from here.
“It really supports the talent coming from George Town.”
Ms Atwell also said the weekend was always a great opportunity to showcase George Town itself.
“I think it’s a very special little place,” she said.
“It’s very important, it brings a lot of people into the town and people who have never been to George Town.
“They see the beautiful river and the beaches at Low Head and they experience the local hospitality and once they come we know that they’ll come back so it’s really exciting.”
Ms Atwell noted the trend of artists moving to the area, such as singer-songwriter Vince Brophy.
“There are a lot of musicians moving in and around George Town because of our festival so it’s exciting,” she said.
Ms Atwell, who has been involved with the festival since its inception 28 years ago, said it was great to see people who have recently moved to George Town experience the festival.
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