THE emphasis is on family fun as the Curious Arts Festival announces a bulging programme that includes authors, comedy and events specifically for children this summer at Pylewell Park.

And The Daily Echo has a family ticket for four people to give away to this magical event!

This inspiring and illuminating festival, in the heart of the New Forest, is back for its fifth year , July 20-23, with a uniquely engaging programme for children including prize winning authors, comedy especially for kids and poetry and film making workshops.

Returning to its spectacular Solent-side setting Park this small boutique festival punches above its weight with live music from singer songwriter superstars, author events with prize winners and best sellers and stand up from the cream of the UK’s comedy talent.

Children’s programming highlights this year include:

• Author events with children’s fiction prize winner Piers Torday (author of the Last Wild Trilogy with new book The Lost Magician), and Lydia Rose Ruffles (whose debut coming-of-age story The Taste of Blue Light will be followed up by Colour Me In this summer)

• Best-selling author and Egyptologist Rob Lloyd Jones (Wild Boy and Jake Atlas series) on the real life treasure hunt that inspired his new novel, complete with quizzes, prizes and creepy Egyptian mummies.

• Comedy performances for children from James Campbell and Jo Neary with her Peg in The Gallery performance.

• Immortal wizard The Story Beast performing hairy, ever-so-slightly scary tales and songs for kids, helped but mostly hindered by his arch-nemesis, Mandy The Witch Who Lives Under The Sink

• A daily Comedy News round up for kids from Alice Fraser and kids favourite James Campbell

• Two poetry workshops on Aliens and Greek Myth

• Film making workshops with Ridley Scott collaborator Wojciech Duczmal

• Classic cartoons from early and through the morning showing a charming array of cartoons in the film tent for children and parents to enjoy. Duvets welcome.

Bedtime Stories for young ones at 7pm in the children’s tent every evening

• Craft workshops from Bella and the Young Ones designed by the immensely talented Isabel Lyster to charm and delight young ones of all ages. Isabel and her team will be on hand through the weekend with paint, tools, pencils, puppets and a wide range of activities to fire the imagination.

• Oversized traditional games such as giant chess sets, dominoes, snakes and ladders as well as croquet.

Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a fantastic music, comedy and literary line up that includes the UK’s most exciting singer songwriter talent including John Newman, comedy from legendary Al Murray, Radio 4 regular Simon Evans, lightening-quick sketch group The Noise Next Door and choirmaster Gareth Malone who will lead festivalgoers in an impromptu choir performance. Plus numerous top author events too.

WIN a Family Ticket.

Family tickets are £279 for a family of 4. For your chance to win a family ticket answer the following question:

Who is the famous choirmaster appearing at the festival this year?

Send your answer with your full name, home and email address plus phone number to: hilary.porter@dailyecho.co.uk

Answers to reach us by Friday March 30 at 12 noon. A winner will be selected at random.

Pylewell Park, New Forest, 20th to 23rd July, www.curiousartsfestival.com