The festival, held at Waiora Scout Camp and in its 45th year, starts today with an evening concert followed by three days of gigs and workshops.
"We’ve got a really good line-up this year,’’ festival director Bill Morris said.
"It’s probably one of the most diverse and youthful line-ups that we’ve had, certainly in the time I’ve ben involved in the festival."
Headline acts include Barry Saunders, from The Waratahs, who takes the stage tomorrow at 2pm and will be interviewed for a workshop the following day.
There were a lot of young
bands coming from around New Zealand as well as international acts from Canada, Australia and Scotland, Mr Morris said.
"As usual, heaps of workshops going on, pretty much just wall to wall music from the moment we kick off right through to the end.
"We’ve got workshops on songwriting, fiddle playing and various music craft workshops.
"Wai Tai are leading a workshop on singing waiata," he said.
"Basically, it’s for anyone to get involved, work with the artist, to learn or get inspiration ... the idea is ... there’s something for everyone."
Ticket sales were well up and Mr Morris expected another busy year.
Most attendees camp for the three days but many join for a full or half day.
To bring in the New Year there will be a ceilidh, or a barn dance before the band Adam Hattaway and the Haunters performs until the early hours.
"It’s a good place to come for New Year’s Eve because it’s not far from Dunedin," Mr Morris said.
"The weather’s looking great this year ... I’d recommend if people are at a loose end for New Year’s Eve that they come out in the afternoon and enjoy the music and then party on into the night."
A karakia was planned and "we’d probably have some bagpipes I imagine," Mr Morris said, for the New Year countdown.
He said folk music was undergoing a renaissance in New Zealand.
"It’s a really exciting time to be a part of folk music.
"Incredible amount of young talent coming through and a whole new audience is starting to get involved in it that are starting to understand the importance of folk music and the sense of community that it evokes.
"That’s really the key thing about Whare Flat and the reason it’s been so successful for 45 years."
