The "bush poetry" event this weekend would feature 12 performers and a nod to the late Phil Garland, one of the instigators of the festival, organiser Roger Lusby said.
"Phil was one of the grandfathers of folk - he dedicated his life to that. He had a few stories to tell."
The Bards festival started about 15 years ago as a "musterers' breakfast, with poets", in Naseby, and was later held at different venues around the Maniototo and then "had a couple of years off", Mr Lusby said.
Strong support from the Naseby community had seen the festival evolve into a Naseby event, but this year performances would also be held at the Danseys Pass Coach Inn and as well as at the Ancient Briton Hotel and Black Forest Cafe in Naseby.
Mr Lusby, who grew up in Roxburgh and now lives in Nelson, took over the running of the event several years ago, although he said it still had strong support from the owner of the Ancient Briton, Roch Sullivan, who now lives in Auckland and was another festival founder.
Performers this year will include local, regional and national poets, as well as Australian bush poet Barney Foran.
Guitarist Graham Wardrop will perform a song featuring lyrics from one of Brian Turner's poems, and other Maniototo locals are expected to perform in the "walk up" category.
Mr Lusby said the performance of bush poetry in a Maniototo tavern usually left people spellbound.
Public performances will be held from 5.30pm today and from 10.30am to 4pm tomorrow, with a "final wind-down on Sunday".
