LAST year saw Bude Arts and Music (BAAM) put on its second annual three-day family festival of arts and music. The town came out in force to support the event and everyone had a fantastic time — this year it’s back and it’s bigger than ever!

BAAMFest 2016 will take place at The Castle Grounds, Bude on July 1 to 3. Once again, the weekend is full of activities and performances with a focus on bringing workshops, artists and performers from across the southwest and beyond to engage and entertain people of all ages.

Dan Allen, one of BAAM’s directors, said: “The idea behind BAAMFest has always been to provide something for everyone — for the whole family. It’s not just a music festival, it’s an interactive experience for all ages. We want people to come and take part in all the workshops on offer and at the same time enjoy all the performances taking place over the weekend.”

The festival is packed with workshops including circus skills with Circo Kernow through to a rock and pop workshop where children can try out electric and acoustic guitars and drums — the chance to learn some real rock classics!

The festival will also offer art demonstrations and workshops, while storytellers and performers mingle with the crowds.

BAAMfest 2016 has a full programme of artists in the acoustic tent performing on the castle grounds. Showcasing a mix of up and coming local talent as well as more well established performers and bands, this will form the centrepiece of the daytime activities and provide the soundtrack to the weekend.

To keep people fed and watered there is an artisan food market with food trucks and concessions serving refreshments from around the world while Preston’s Outside Bar — managed by local pub The Preston Gate — will be running a mini beer festival from the bar.

Then, on each evening the festival fires up in the main tent with a line up never before seen in Bude. Kicking off the festival on Friday night are two bands from the southwest with a great sound, superb atmosphere and burgeoning reputations.

Firstly, Newquay brothers Ric and Robert Harrison make up Echo Town. Their unique and energetic live show is inspired by the surf culture of Cornwall and sounds from all over the world.

Headlining on Friday night is Land Of The Giants. Expect inspired song writing, pumping drums, scorching guitar, soulful yet commanding vocals and a jumping brass section. One of the hardest working bands around, with festival appearances at Glastonbury, Bestival, Boomtown and Wilderness under their belts, they are hailed as one of the best emerging live bands in the country.

Saturday Night sees something very special indeed — an incredible exclusive for BAAMFest. One of, if not their only live show together in the UK this year — The Martin Harley Band.

Martin Harley is a supremely talented acoustic roots and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Renowned for his prowess as a slide guitarist, Martin is one of the very few musicians in the UK to play the lap slide.

In the US, Martin has headlined Music City Roots in Nashville and toured coast to coast with ZZ Ward, Delta Rae and opened for Bruce Hornsby and Joe Bonamassa amongst many others.

Martin has spent the last 12 months touring solo and more recently with collaborator Daniel Kimbro. He is just back from playing sold out venues across Germany and later this summer embarks upon a North American tour.

However, for this very special event, Martin and his band have re-formed; so this is your only chance to see them together on stage.

Finally, on Sunday night following on from the success of last year’s comedy show, BAAM have moved things up a notch with not one, not two but three comedians performing.

The comedy show will be compered by Mark Dolan of Channel 4’s Balls of Steel. A renowned stand-up, with packed shows at the Edinburgh Festival to go alongside his television work.

Geoff Boyz, comedian and impressionist with regular appearances at Edinburgh Fringe and on C5’s Comedy Store will also be performing, as will Terry Alderton. Terry has gone from stand-up to acting and back again with great success. Very funny, full of energy, Terry’s high-octane show takes the audience on a journey they’ll never forget.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the line-up for this year,” says the BAAM team. “It’s bigger than last year, with acts from across the country but still with our roots firmly in the southwest. Three days packed with fun and entertainment for the whole family. We’re looking forward to seeing the Bude community out in force as usual!”

Weekend and evening tickets can be purchased from Bude Surf Cabin, Bude Tourist Information and also from Eventbrite.co.uk. The Friday evening is £12 while Saturday and Sunday evenings are £15 each. The weekend pass is £40 while a day pass is only £2.50.

For further information visit www.budeartsandmusic.org