Photos by Chelsea Heaney

While sitting at a stall making earrings from old coke bottles, I felt the back of my neck prickle. I turned around to find myself face to face with the head of a green monster, twice my width. It was so close that I could see the shadow of a human head behind the mesh mouth. As the monster turned away, I saw that it had about eight heads, and even more legs. Its legs kicked out and the mass of green bobbed in time to the guitar jamming in the Blues Shed.

You come to expect this sort of thing at Woodford Folk Festival. On your way to different events, you might be stopped by pirates to make up a spell, or see a steampunk one-man band.

It’s not just the novelty acts that you can see up close. With no pre-arranged seating, you can be near enough to your favourite artist to see her fake eyelashes, or for him to smile at you as he tunes his guitar.

2014 was my first experience of the annual festival. Being a volunteer reporter for 4ZZZ, I got to chat to artists such as Kate Miller-Heidke, and was delighted to discover that most of these big stars were as down to earth as the people sitting next to me during the shows.

Another thing I didn’t realise was how many different types of performances there were. Not only was there every type music you can think of (and then some), there were circus acts, workshops, and much more. One morning I went along to a yoga class that was so full that I had to roll out my mat on the damp earth. Within half an hour, I was bending over while someone I’d just met thumped around my back and hips. This activity might sound a little too personal, but man it felt good!

You could even participate in some of the shows. On the trivia night, I helped to dress an enthusiastic older gentleman in a bikini made from garbage bags. Another day, I performed at a poetry slam. I loved the opportunity to share my new material with an audience, but even better was how accepting everyone was. One man wore a tuxedo and no shoes over his grubby feet. A lanky woman wore a flowing evening gown. Another man wore hippy pants so baggy that they breezed around him. Amazingly, not one person looked out of place.

At night, when I headed back to the campsite, the path lit by lanterns, everyone said hello to each other. In the bathroom, a lady came in saying that she lost something. A stranger made a sympathetic noise and said, ‘I hope you find it.’

Woodford Folk Festival isn’t just an event. It’s a community.

Top 5 most memorable acts: 1. 3 High Acrobatics (Circus act) 2. Caravana Sun (Ska band) 3. The Travelling Sisters (Comedy singers) 4. Joe Lynch (Irish storytelling) 5. Tenzin Choegyal (Tibetan nomad style music)

Top 5 tips for going to the festival: 1. Bring gumboots 2. Talk to people. They talk back 3. Try the spinach and cheese gozleme 4. Do at least one of the workshops. Many are free 5. Volunteer! It’s great work experience and you get free entry