One of the highlights on the national folk calendar, the Warwick Folk Festival brings top international names to Warwick on Thursday to Sunday July 28-31.

For the first time in its 32-year history, visitors have a chance to take in the atmosphere of the event before committing themselves to full-price event tickets. 'Taster tickets' are available for only £4 (free for under-10s) which provide access to all but the main venues on the Festival site in the grounds of Warwick School, Myton Road.

Between 10am and 6pm, 'taster ticket' holders can get a flavour of the occasion from a big choice of music sessions, small concerts, dance displays, workshops, over 40 craft stalls and the Festival Bar.

Tickets for the big name concerts are available throughout the weekend from the Festival Box Office in the Bridge House Theatre on the school site. Thus year's attractions include England's leading acoustic roots act Show Of Hands on Friday night, the internationally acclaimed celtic-latin band Salsa Celtica on Saturday night and top instrumental duo Spiers and Boden for the Sunday night closing concert.

Running alongside the main site programme, organisers have also set up a packed programme of free events throughout the town centre. The Warwick Fringe includes spectacular dance displays, lively music and song sessions in pubs and restaurants and an open air stage in Market Place for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon concert by Festival guests.

Says Festival Director, Dick Dixon, 'The Festival presents great family entertainment for all tastes and we think that the taster tickets will provide a great opportunity for people to find out just how much the event has to offer.

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