Irish-born Mick Flanagan had run a folk club in Sydney before moving to Franklin in 1979. He began a monthly folk club in Franklin’s Federal Hotel. A typical night on the first Saturday of the month would include two booked acts, then a ‘Come all Ye’ – a chance for new performers to perform a couple of pieces.

Many had young children and these nights were an important social event for the whole family. They would take along bedding, food and drink for the young children. The kids were expected to show respect for the musicians. They would listen for a while and then settle down. Many of these children grew up to be musicians themselves. This is where the family-friendly spirit of today’s Cygnet Folk Festival comes from.

Mick and his fellow musicians also wanted to showcase Tasmanian talent. This is another important strand in today’s programming. Those involved with those monthly folk club sessions in Franklin held the first annual festival three years later in Cygnet in 1982. It has run continuously ever since with many generations of volunteers. It is now Tasmania’s premier folk, dance and music event.

It has been cited as the inspiration for the high level of artistic activity in the Huon Valley. Many Tasmanian bands grew from chance collaborations at the festival and many musicians have moved to the valley to live because of the festival. Musical events and small group sessions are held throughout the year, albeit hidden among the hills sometimes! Performance at the festival provides a goal which can sustain an emergent band or solo performer for the year.

Musicians from all over Australia are keen to participate in the Cygnet Folk Festival and competition by performers is stiff. Each year the festival employs over one hundred local musicians and brings more than three hundred visiting musicians to Tasmania along with their many more fans.