HEXHAM's first bluegrass festival will take place this weekend.

The festival is presented as part of the regular Sunday Bandstand sessions and will feature six of the North East’s finest Bluegrass groups.

Headlined by popular band The Often Herd, who were selected as Official Virtual Showcase Artists for the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble in 2021, the free event will also see Assembly Lane, Errant Moose, The Cherry Pickers, Hexham Bluegrass Group and Hexham Youth Bluegrass perform.

The festival will also offer workshops, tuition and jamming opportunities for musicians of all ages.

Niles Krieger, of The Often Herd, said: "We are very excited to be directly involved with what promises to be a fantastic day, and hope that this event is the foundation for a regular Bluegrass festival in the future."

Hexham Bluegrass Festival will take place at the Bandstand from 12pm-6pm on Sunday (July 24).

This festival is a partnership with the Bandstand Sessions, Hexham Town Council and Core Music CIC.

A Youth Bluegrass workshop will also take place on Saturday (July 23) at Core Music.

For more details, visit their website here.