The excellent Willowman returns this Solstice weekend, and they are attracting a truly international audience. Read on….

North Yorkshire’s Willowman Festival has always attracted people from the length and breadth of the British Isles.

This year sees the summer solstice event pulling in an audience from much further afield.

Festival Director Steve Williams explained “On a recent check of our online ticket sales we noticed that we had sold weekend passes to people in Thailand and Singapore, we have also been contacted on Facebook by Denis Borov Who is travelling from Russia to see one of our headline acts Space.

We feel that our event is now firmly cemented on the UK summer festival calendar and that these far flung ticket sales demonstrate what a strong line-up have booked for this year. All of our guests will get a warm welcome when they arrive at our site next weekend and we have a special surprise arranged for Dennis which involves his musical heroes.”

Mr Borov who is making the 1800 mile journey from Moscow to the festival site near Northallerton commented “Space were one of my favourite bands in late 90s. When I heard they had reformed I checked the official Space website and found they were playing at The Willowman Festival. I bought my festival tickets and flight tickets and here I am. I am staying in London to catch up with old friends and then I get the train to Yorkshire. This is the first time I have seen the band and my first time at the Willowman Festival so I am really looking forward to my trip.”

Closer to home the pupils from Northallerton College art department have been making musical instruments from cardboard and chicken wire. The project is aimed at building closer links between local communities and the festival.

Willowman Press Officer Sid Ambrose commented “It is really important to involve schools and local organisations in events like Willowman, it gives everyone a chance to build towards a big event and learn new skills, one of the pupils has even built a steampunk guitar to tie in with our 2013 site décor and fancy dress theme.”

For those attending the 2013 Willowman Festival they will be treated to four days of entertainment spread over four stages. Highlights of the June weekend include The Wonder Stuff, Space, New Model Army and The Orb Soundsystem.

Now in its fourth year this North Yorkshire festival has gained a positive reputation for its handpicked line up which manages to successfully blend well known Veteran acts with emerging talent from around the country. It is also being recognised as a value for money event with competitive ticket prices and quality food and drink at affordable prices.

Willowman will take place at Hillside Rural Activities Park near Thirsk from the 20th to the 23rd June.

Tickets are priced at £70 per adult for the four days which includes camping and parking.

More Details HERE.