From 1981 to 1986 this was the semi-legendary Elephant Fayre, which ballooned from 1,500 punters to around 30,000 during its brief existence. It then morphed into the Port Eliot Lit Festival, presumably to shed the rowdy elements that forced its closure, before trying to marry music and literature in its current guise.

It has evolved into an arts festival of impeccable taste adding food, fashion, flowers and visual art to the musical and literary mix.