Organisers of Northern Ireland’s leading lifestyle and alternative music festival Sunflowerfest are gearing up for this year’s three-day event, set to take place 22nd to 25th August on Tubby’s Farm in Hillsborough.

Now in its 5th year, Sunflowerfest has quickly built a reputation for delivering an eclectic, family-friendly event and this year’s festival, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 25th August, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Attracting international artists as well as local talent and emerging acts from Northern Ireland is a coup for the quirky festival, but organiser Michael Magowan says there’s much more to Sunflowerfest than just music.

World class musicians from NI and beyond

London electronica group The Orb and Co. Down natives The Answer will headline the fifth annual Sunflowerfest alongside Lisburn natives Mojo Fury, who will perform on the closing night. In addition to these outstanding headline acts to celebrate Sunflowerfest’s 5th year, over 80 other acts from diverse musical backgrounds and genres are also scheduled to take to the festival’s five stages this year.

Speaking on the range of musicians scheduled to perform this year, music organiser Phil McCarroll said, “We are delighted to welcome back Sunflowerfest veterans including Amanda St John, Pocket Billiards, Randal Stephen Hall and The Bonnevilles, while we also welcome newcomers like King Kong Company, Loris, Go Swim, Fox E & The Good Hands, and also acts from further afield including Arkham Dispatch from Canada and the all-girl act Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass, who will join the festival all the way from Japan.”

The lineup also features a highly-anticipated performance by Holywood’s Matthew Malcolm, winner of 2014’s BuskFest in Newry. Matthew was chosen by a panel of judges on 23rd June and has been awarded a place on the main stage at this year’s festival.

Happy Campers

Staying true to the family-friendly ethos of the festival, Sunflowerfest offers diverse campgrounds for guests staying as families or individuals. For families looking for a laid-back weekend in nature, Sunflowerfest’s family campsites include activities all weekend including dancing, face painting, kids yoga, rock and roll football and even a gyroscope.

Whether you prefer a traditional pop-up tent or a kitted-out campervan, Sunflowerfest offers suitable campsites for all guests including family camping, a general singles camp site, quiet singles campsite, and even glamping options, where guests can sleep in a bell tent which sleeps two to four people.

Get in on Sunflowerfest’s ‘Bliss’

Sunflowerfest guests can take a break from the action by retreating to the serene Lighthouse Bliss area which is this year run by Siobhan Brogues, founder of The Lighthouse Centre. From yoga and meditation classes to reiki, Indian head massage and sound spa, the Lighthouse Bliss area is a one-stop shop for physical and emotional well-being and alternative therapies for the whole family.

This year’s event will also include a world record attempt at the largest group laughter yoga session on Sunday 22nd June. Guests can join in on a memorable experience of setting a world record and connecting with hundreds of Sunflowerfest guests through this unique event.

Traders set to make hay while the sun shines

Following the success of last year’s event, which showcased exquisite food, drink, arts and crafts and featured unusual delights like vegan treats and chilli chai, ice creams with names like buzzy bee and superman and funky clothing, vintage and holistic art and craft stalls, organisers are delighted to offer guests a wide range of quirky artisan goods and delights again this year.

A Strong supporter of local independent merchants and artisans, Vanessa Magowan, Sunflowerfest, said, “We are absolutely delighted with the interest in trading at the festival this summer. We have worked hard to build up the reputation of the festival, not just as one for music, but also as a lifestyle weekend that allows people to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and soak up and sample the best of Northern Ireland’s amazing artists, food producers and craftsmen and women.”

Fun for the Whole Family

Families looking for a weekend to remember will enjoy the biggest programme of FREE kids’ activities to feature at any event in Northern Ireland. The Kidz Zone at Sunflowerfest gives creative kids a chance to try their hands at everything from stilt walking to sculpture, clay modelling as well as a wide range of interactive activities including puppetry and painting.

The Enchanted Glade of Mystery and Surprises will also feature a programme of family shows within a wonderland of make-believe. Activities include drama and storytelling, and visitors young and old can roll up for Bucky’s Circus to learn circus skills including stilt walking and juggling.

The Eden Project will also appear at the festival, helping kids create bunting to decorate festival grounds, and A Big Lunch will feature as part of this year’s festival. Arts and crafts workshops led by Kids Art World will allow children to design and take away their own beautiful windsock and use recycled materials to make a wildlife stone.

For more information on the weekend’s lineup of musicians and events for the whole family or to purchase tickets visit www.sunflowerfest.co.uk.

Sunflowerfest kindly acknowledges the assistance of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Lisburn City Council in the production of this year’s event and welcomes SOS Bus NI as its official charity partner.