A sell-out crowd of around 5,000 people turned out for the inaugural Fisherman’s Friends Festival at Stithians Show Ground over the bank holiday weekend.
Hosted by the Port Isaac sea shanty group Fisherman’s Friends, the event showcased a packed programme of live music, local food and drink, crafts and family entertainment celebrating Cornish culture.
The band opened the festival’s main stage on Saturday lunchtime to an enthusiastic reception and were due to close the weekend with a further performance on Sunday evening.
An eclectic line-up of artists performed across the weekend, including Seth Lakeman, The Longest Johns, Sharon Shannon and Porthleven Town Band, with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra headlining Saturday night, joined by special guests Roachford and Ruby Turner.
Sunday’s programme featured Kate Rusby, Skipinnish, Peat & Diesel, The Oggymen and Splann Ceilidh Band, with comedy and compering from Kernow King and Johnny Cowling across the two days.
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The festival also included performances on an outdoor bandstand, with acts such as Sound of the Sirens, Flats & Sharps and True Foxes, alongside folk sessions curated by Geoff Lakeman.
Organiser Laura Farrow said the event had enjoyed favourable weather and a strong atmosphere throughout its first year.
“The weather has been very kind to us for our first year. People are having a great time enjoying lots of fantastic live music, plenty of Cornish food and drink, and there’s a wonderful atmosphere.”
Plans are already under way for the festival to return in 2027.
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