While stormy weather skirted around the festival site at Stuntney Estate, nothing dampened the spirit and enthusiasm of the festival-goers at Ely Folk Festival 2023.

The festival served up a smorgasbord of folk and roots music across its three stages.

Friday night’s offerings included the anarchic Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican who rocked the audience with their humorous lyrics and antics, folk-pop legend Gerry Colvin, and a late night ceilidh with local band Catch the Pigeon. 

Ely Standard: The audience at Ely Folk Festival 2023The audience at Ely Folk Festival 2023 (Image: Andrew Moore)

Ely Standard: Local band Catch the Pigeon led a late night ceilidh at Ely Folk Festival 2023.Local band Catch the Pigeon led a late night ceilidh at Ely Folk Festival 2023. (Image: Andrew Moore)

Ely Standard: An incredible costumeAn incredible costume (Image: Andrew Moore)

Saturday saw the joyous and colourful morris dance parade wind its way around the streets of Ely while, over on the festival site, Katie Spencer, Paper Sparrows, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and folk-punk band Ferocious Dog played to an enthralled audience.

The music didn’t let up on Sunday either, with The Willows, The Finn Collinson Band and Edward II delighting the crowds who seemed reluctant to leave after a weekend of great music.

Even the Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Philips, and his mayoress, Mary Rone, popped in for a wander around the festival site and to award a prize for the most imaginative costume in the children's parade.

Ely Standard: The Ely Folk Festival crowd enjoying some live music.The Ely Folk Festival crowd enjoying some live music. (Image: Andrew Moore)

Ely Standard: As ever, Ely Folk Festival 2023 was a family-friendly event. As ever, Ely Folk Festival 2023 was a family-friendly event. (Image: Andrew Moore)

Ely Standard: One of the bands that performed at Ely Folk Festival 2023.One of the bands that performed at Ely Folk Festival 2023. (Image: Andrew Moore)

One of the festival organisers, Fionnuala Lennon, said: "It was a magnificent weekend.

"Great music, great audience, and a wonderful time had by all."

Now, Fionnuala and festival team are preparing for Ely Folk Festival 2024, which takes place from July 12-14.

Ely Standard: One of the many craft stalls at the festivalOne of the many craft stalls at the festival (Image: David Streatfield)

Ely Standard: Even the Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Philips, and his mayoress Mary Rone, popped in for a wander around the Ely Folk Festival site. Even the Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Philips, and his mayoress Mary Rone, popped in for a wander around the Ely Folk Festival site. (Image: David Streatfield)

Ely Standard: Saturday saw the joyous and colourful morris dance parade wind its way around the streets of Ely.Saturday saw the joyous and colourful morris dance parade wind its way around the streets of Ely. (Image: David Streatfield)

Acts already booked include Eddi Reader, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Nick Parker, an Guise. 

There will also be morris displays, a real ale bar, trade stalls, workshops, dances and children's entertainment.

Early bird tickets are already available for next year's festival, with weekend tickets starting at £105. 

You can book online via www.elyfolkfestival.co.uk 

Ely Standard: On the ground for Ely Folk Festival's Saturday morning paradeOn the ground for Ely Folk Festival's Saturday morning parade (Image: Sue Gwynne)

Ely Standard: Ely Folk Festival 2023 attracted crowds of all ages.Ely Folk Festival 2023 attracted crowds of all ages. (Image: Sue Gwynne)

Ely Standard: Molly dancing on the festival siteMolly dancing on the festival site (Image: Sue Gwynne)

 

Ely Standard: One of the artists that performedOne of the artists that performed (Image: Ely Folk Festival)