A WEEKEND of fine weather, top musicians and entertainers - capped by a flypast by The Red Arrows - helped people make the most of it at the 32nd Dartmoor Folk Festival.

Traditional music, song, crafts and dance were on the cards for visitors to the village of South Zeal, near Okehampton.

Some of the top names in the folk world performed alongside the very best local musicians and singers.

The hugely-acclaimed Dartmoor Pixie Band, formed by the late founder of the festival, Bob Cann BEM, got the festival off to a flying start on the Friday evening.

The official opening was performed by Mrs Lindie Cornthwaite, formerly landlady of The King's Arms, South Zeal, who was very supportive of the festival in its early years.

Then followed a packed programme to fill the weekend which included concerts, ceilidhs, song and music sessions, workshops, a ramble over Dartmoor, church service and a Grand Dart-i-moor Fayre.

The children's festival, which had its own programme, ran over two days.

Winner of the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships, which is for primary school children, was Beth Frangleton (10), from South Zeal. Beth was second in the championships last year and third the year before.

Second was Molly Marvin (8) from South Zeal and third was Henrietta Guard (11) from Cornwall.

There were record entries in the Broom Dance championships and more than 40 children attended a workshop to learn the dance steps.

Winner of the Dartmoor Stepdance championships was Nina Hansell of Wallingford, Oxfordshire, who previously won the title in 2006.

The stepdance championships involves dancers trying to out-step one another on a 15-inch square board on an old hay wagon.

Nina borrowed a pair of hard-soled shoes from another competitor to take part in the championship.

Jason Rice, chairman of the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association, the 35-strong group which organises the annual festival, was placed second. Third was Lisa Sture, from South Molton, North Devon.

Junior Step Dance champion was Katie Richmond (12) from Ottery St Mary, who learned the dance steps at a workshop held just hours before the championships.

The festival featured, amongst the many dance teams, local sides, "Cogs and Wheels" and "Tinners Morris".

Local folk band, "The Ramsley Miners", which includes Thomas White, great-grandson of the festival founder, Bob Cann, played at the event in the grand Music Hall.

Local crafts were exhibited in a craft marquee, where there were demonstrations, including reed rope making and spinning.

Hundreds of festival-goers camped in the festival campsite.

This year the line-up of guests included celebrated folk artists Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, ceilidh band Housewives Choice, father and son The Mighty Quinns, 2009 BBC Folk Award Musician of the Year Tom McConville and David Newey.

The Askew Sisters, Emily and Hazel Askew were a big hit and the Cornwall Songwriters Show was sold out.

Exciting five piece band Spinndrift went down a storm and several hundred people went to "The Bagpuss Show" performed by Nancy Kerr and James Fagan.

Others who wowed crowds were the Cornish Lads, Speakeasy, Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll, Tony Beard, Dave Wills, Rob Pudner and the Dartmoor Pixie Band.

Children's entertainers included returning by popular demand, Craig Johnson and "Grandad", Elfic the Jester, Rob Pudner, Dave Webb, Dave Saunders and Geoff Dixon.

All events stopped for the Red Arrows flypast at precisely 11.54am on the Sunday morning, providing a startling spectacle, with red, white and blue smoke trailing as they passed over South Tawton towards South Zeal and up over Dartmoor.

The Sunday evening music hall, hosted by Tony Beard, the Wag from Widecombe, was, like many events during the festival, full to capacity.

Everyone enjoyed a spectacular finale featuring all the festival artists.

Joyce Cann, president of the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association, widow of the late Bob Cann, said that the festival was "one of the best ever".

She added: "The weather was marvellous and there was a tremendous amount of talent, especially young local talent.

"Bob would have been so proud."

Jason Rice, association chairman, said: "It was an excellent weekend made all the better by the fantastic weather and some fantastic artists.

"Most events were full to capacity and it was a very successful festival.

"Everyone had a good time and it would not have been possible without the efforts of all those who help make it such a success.

"I would like to thank the people of South Zeal for their understanding with the increase in traffic and parked vehicles."

Alan Quick, press officer, said: "There was a great atmosphere and most people marvelled at what talent there is locally and nationally.

"The artists were tremendous and the flypast by The Red Arrows, provided the icing on the cake.

"It was a resounding success and plans are already being made for next year's festival, which will take place from August 6-8."