Thousands of music lovers will be wearing pork pie hat hats, Fred Perry shirts and skanking on down to Folkestone for the Ska Splash Festival. It is the fourth year of the event, previously known as Skabour, and some of the scene’s biggest names will be heading to the Kent coast.

It started back in 2010 as an art exhibition with a small music stage in a nearby car park. Since then, Folkestone Skabour has gone from strength to strength, expanding in size to attract 10,000 visitors last August.

This weekend the festival is back for its fourth year with a new name, Folkestone Ska Splash, inspired by the seaside venue and the 2002 album of the same name by the Skatalites, who are playing this year.

Other acts on the line-up include the Selecter, the Beat, Bad Manners, the Dualers and former Specials’ singer Neville Staple and his band.

The overall capacity of the festival has been increased to allow for more fans, spreading beyond the harbour into the Creative Quarter, with 11 indoor venues and five outdoor ones including the One Ska Unity main stage.

MAIN STAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, August 16
7.30pm:Toot ‘n’ Skamen & Roddy Radiation
9pm:Bad Manners

Saturday, August 17
4.30pm:The Toasters
6pm:Neville Staple Band
7.30pm:The Selecter
9pm:The Skatalites

Sunday, August 18
5.30pm:The Dualers
7pm:The Beat

There will also be family areas including the Ska Splash Family Fountain in the harbour and Ska Beach at Sunny Sands and the festival will continued to host the Mod and Ska Scoot scooter show, featuring Lambretta and Vespa clubs.

Organiser Rohan Scully said: “The line-up is literally a who’s who of the old school and the finest of the new school spanning five decades across the ska sect.

“With over 40 acts consisting of bands and DJs hosted within a fantastic location, Ska Splash is one of the most original events of its kind.

“Whether you are a hard-core rude boy or rude girl, or are new to the scene, Ska Splash promises to captivate the whole ska vibe for you, from accessories to sounds, scooters to fashion.”

Tickets are £40, plus a £4 booking fee, with free admission for children under 14. The ticket allows general admission to all the venues included in the festival over the three days.

Camping is available priced £10 per day at the Little Switzerland campsite in Wear Bay Road, while cars and campervans can stay at the seafront rotunda, also priced £10 per day.

Visit www.folkestoneskasplash.com