More than 50 acts will play at this year’s Folk by the Sea festival, including six-times Golden Guitar Country Music Award-winner Luke O’Shea, Australia’s Queen of Boogie Piano Jan Preston, Americana/bluegrass band The Hillbilly Goats, and multi-talented singer-songwriter, author, diplomat and comedian Fred Smith.

“We feel we have something for everyone in this year’s program,” says the festival’s Co-ordinator Judy Cork.

“The festival’s acts cover a wide range of music, including folk, celtic, world, roots, country,  bluegrass and gypsy.”

Judy said the organizers are particularly pleased to see Kiama favourite Jan Preston as one of the headline acts this year.

“We were so disappointed for Jan and for her fans when she broke both her wrists in a fall just before the 2016 festival, so she was on top of our list for this year’s line-up.

“Fortunately she has made a full recovery and from all reports is playing better than ever, and we are delighted that she accepted our invitation to show us what we missed out on last year.”

The Hillbilly Goats, from Port Douglas in Far North Queensland, are returning by popular demand.

“They blew everyone away when they came to Folk By The Sea in 2015, so it is great that they were able to come back down for this year’s festival,” says Judy.

The festival is following the same format as previous years, with a ticketed event based at Kiama Showground on Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, followed by free concerts featuring local Illawarra acts on Sunday September 24, at Kiama’s Hindmarsh Park during the day and at Kiama Bowling Club in the evening.

Details: Earlybird season tickets at $60 (a saving of $15 until September 20) are available at http://www.folkbythesea.com.au