It was launched by Stainsby Arts Centre, which had been set up in 1967 and closed in 1971 due to council cuts and was organised by Ann Syrett and Bob Walker among others.

In 2000, Dot Brunt died, but its second benefactor, Paddy Lane, bought the house and fields in order to keep the festival alive.

[5] It has music venues and several family-oriented events, with children's storytelling tents, group rhythm workshops, and face-painting activities.

There is a smaller tent called 'The Third Thing' hosting multi-media events, poetry, theatre, spoken word, and other workshops.

In 2005, the procession was centered on a flame, apparently originating from the fires of Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped.