The award-winning DadFest is returning to Beryl’s Campsite in Beeson from Friday, September 18, to Sunday, September 20.

Recognised nationally as the UK’s only dedicated ‘Festival of Fatherhood’, the event offers fathers, father figures, and their children a chance to connect, play, and unwind in the South Devon countryside.

Organised by local community interest company The Dads Network, DadFest first launched in 2014 in the hamlet of Beeson.

Over the past 12 years, it has grown from a humble coastal gathering into a nationally recognised institution, twice winning ‘Best Small Event in the UK’ from the National Outdoor Events Association in 2015 and 2025.

The journey of DadFest began nearly two decades ago when founder Ian Blackwell noticed a distinct lack of father-focused groups while attending local children's centres in Totnes with his own young children.

“I was usually the only dad there,” Blackwell recalled. “We set up a local dads group called Dangerous Dads, running activities like bird box making, campfires, and beach trips. Then we thought: why don’t we turn this into a mini-festival?”

What started as a single weekend in Beeson hosting around 60 fathers and 90 children has retained its intimate community ethos.

DadFest has now expanded nationwide, holding regular sister events in Sussex, Manchester, and Yorkshire, but its heart remains firmly in South Devon.

Beyond outdoor activities, DadFest plays a vital role in supporting men’s mental health and fostering community cohesion.

“There aren’t many spaces in the community where men can come together, feel safe, and chat,” Blackwell explained.

“Dads don't necessarily engage with structured parenting classes, but sitting around a campfire while the kids play together gives them a safe space to talk informally about parenting, mental health, or personal struggles.”

The festival environment also serves as an equaliser across social backgrounds. Blackwell highlighted how fathers from all walks of life - from caravan dwellers to corporate managers - bond over shared parenting experiences.

However, keeping the festival running requires ongoing community backing.

“We do struggle a bit each year just to make ends meet, but that’s the nature of what we do - it's not set up to be a profitable business,” Blackwell said.

“We’d love to develop more ways of working with local businesses, whether that’s direct sponsorship or support in kind, similar to how Ginsters supplies us with pasties for the weekend.”

Local businesses or sponsors interested in supporting the festival should contact [email protected].

This year’s line-up at Beryl’s Campsite features a wide array of led activities, including archery, forest school sessions, axe throwing, storytelling, bat walks, water rockets, fishing, and trips to the nearby beach.

A wrestling show is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, alongside music workshops and local food.

Saturday evening will host the headline spectacle: the World Dad Dancing Championship.

Hotly contested by grooving fathers - much to the playful embarrassment of their children - the winner will claim the sought-after trophy and ultimate bragging rights.

“I googled World Dad Dancing Championships, and there was nothing,” explained Blackwell. “So it's ours; it is the world championships.

“Having said that, we don't have people from all over the world coming, but we do get people from Crediton.”

Entrants may not have quite reached global levels, but winners from regional events across the UK are invited to travel to Devon for the final.