It begins to rain the moment I walk through the gates of my first Folk Festival, which could be taken as a bad omen except for everyone around me seems so relaxed. People of diverse ages meander in with all manner of “festing equipment”: ponchos, lawn chairs, hula-hoops, looking both anticipatory and serene. In what amounts to a yearly pilgrimage for many folks (…), this makes sense.

Throughout the day there will be many more hula-hoops spotted, but surprisingly, only one drum circle, though that may be due to insufficient time in the campgrounds. The didgeridoo count landed at three.

“World music” instruments were everywhere in interesting combinations; my favourite being Delhi 2 Dublin’s Bhangra and Celtic fusion, featuring particularly sexy fiddle playing — that is, beyond the fiddle’s usual sexiness, which is substantial.

On the local side of things, singer-songwriter Del Barber crooned to a hushed audience between some meticulous stage banter, and you’ve got to appreciate that sort of effort.

One last thing should be noted: the frozen bananas. They are sold in a booth inexplicably offering only bananas or perogies, and they are worth a shot. Recommended with sprinkles.