By Meg Jorsh

Published at 09:29, Saturday, 23 August 2008

KIDS will take centre stage at Solfest this weekend, with more family-friendly facilities than ever before.

In league: Dave alias Fred Davies from Carlisle in costume at Solfest yesterday

More than 2,000 children at the festival at Tarns near Aspatria will enjoy free workshops and play areas, including a baby chill-out tent for the under fives.

Solfest was voted the most family friendly festival in the 2007 UK Festival Awards.

Organiser Simon Kay, 34, said: “The kids field is a riot of colour and activity.

“After last year’s award we’ve attracted a lot more families, so we’ve quadrupled the number of children’s activities.”

With his wife expecting a baby next week, Simon has family on his mind. But he’s sticking around for the festival, along with 10,000 other revellers.

He added: “Most importantly, the sun’s shining – it’s absolutely gorgeous.

“We’ve just had to run around giving all our stewards sun tan lotion.”

Whatever the weather, festival-goers can enjoy acts like Supergrass, Roisin Murphy and the Alabama 3. For those without tickets to the sold-out event, Solfest FM will broadcast from the main stages on 87.7 FM.

Reaching as far as Whitehaven, Maryport and Carlisle, the station will also offer interviews with the bands.

“It’s also quite good from a health and safety point of view, especially if anyone goes missing”, said Simon.

The festival addict from Abbey Town, Wigton, started Solfest in 2003 with a grant from Cumbria County Council. Working full-time as a drugs co-ordinator for youth offenders, he runs the event as a hobby.

He said: “The idea was to create our dream festival really, and I think we did that. I’ve been putting in two or three hours a day since last November.”

Solfest is run on a non-profit basis, with all proceeds going toward next year’s programme.

Simon is passionate about keeping it free from corporate sponsorship.

He added: “I think it’ll help build a bit of pride in the area.”

Find out more at www.solwayfestival.co.uk.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk