Youlgreave Festival is an annual event held in the village of Youlgreave situated in the heart of the Peak District. Started in 2001 by local entrepreneur Philip Wildbore as a community event, hosted by the local parish council on the playing fields. Typically, the festival runs throughout the 2nd weekend of September every year.
Now in its 9th year, it has become an established part of the calendar and has grown steadily year on year, now hosting two stages. With a 2nd stage introduced in 2008, the festival now has room for more local acts and less space between the performers.
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History
Started in 2001, the first year was deemed a success by the organisers, with over 1000 attending from the local area, and Philip Wildboar's own act, Fatfish, headlining, with this first festival only taking place on the Saturday.
By 2002 the festival had decided to add entertainment for children, in the form of an inflatable slide, and slippery climbing frame, although still only taking place on the Saturday, the festival was now looking to be a regular event every year.
2003 saw the festival expand over the three days from the Friday through to the Sunday evening, and also saw the children's entertainment expand to include a bouncy castle. The format of the festival was to have local rock music on the Friday and Saturday evenings, with jazz played over the Sunday afternoon, featuring jazz vocalist Sally Doherty, alongside a free buffet and art gallery displaying works of local artists for sale.
2004-2008 saw the Sunday disappear from the event, with emphasis on the growth of the Friday and Saturday performers and stages.
"We have always tried to have an eclectic mix of music but with just one stage it was difficult.
"It will cost more to run two stages but it will make a more complete festival in terms of covering a much broader range of musical styles and tastes.
"We felt we raised the bar last year with the standard of musicians so this was the only way forward," - Philip Wildboar
Future
2009 sees the Festival earn its full license from the County Council allowing a more secure future for the event on its present site. The event will be continuing this year taking place on September 11 and 12.