'Like the last two years haven't happened' - Thousands welcomed to festival

People enjoying food at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Having been cancelled in 2020, the eighth annual Maui Waui Festival was held this weekend at Hill Farm in Gressenhall, near Dereham - a new location for the event normally held in Suffolk.

Hank Wangford and Noel Dashwood performing on the Jeremiah Marques Stage at Maui Waui Festival. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said festival spokeswoman Anne Steel.

Children having fun with bubbles at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

“It really does feel like all the previous Maui festivals… It’s like the last two years haven’t happened.”

The Jeremiah Marques Stage and Cafe Chameleon at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Having opened its gates on Friday, the festival had by Saturday welcomed 4,000 people, while more were expected to come for its Americana Day on Sunday - bringing the number of visitors close to its 5,000 capacity.

The Paint Pixies at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Ms Steel said a particular highlight of the festival was the DJ stage, which took the form of a huge stainless steel UFO, dubbed ‘the Outer Limit’.

Thousands of people enjoyed the Maui Waui Festival this weekend at Hill Farm in Gressenhall, near Dereham. (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

Thousands of people enjoyed the Maui Waui Festival this weekend at Hill Farm in Gressenhall, near Dereham. (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

The Dub Pistols performed on Friday night (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

The Dub Pistols performed on Friday night (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

My Bad Sister was among the acts performing at the festival. (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

Thy Last Drop was among the acts performing at the festival. (Image: Jerry Tye (Copyright))

Festival goers playing with powder paint at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Particular Nichola and Madam Bellows at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

The Outer Limits stage at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Katie and Bob at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Cerys, Isabella and Sofiya enjoying Maui Waui Festival. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Festival goers playing with powder paint at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

Festival goers playing with powder paint at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

The Moore family at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

One of the acts performing at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

The Kearton family hula hooping at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)

The Kearton family hula hooping at Maui Waui Festival in Gressenhall. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2021)