SILVER CITY -- Although 1,000 people are expected to attend this weekend's 5th annual Porcupine Mountain Music Festival, organizers say it will still be intimate.

"We've got artists out listening to other artists performing," said organizer, Linda Kermeen.  "They're sitting in the audience right next to you."

There'll be groups like "Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams", returning for the second year with their hillbilly rock sound.  Or from Vancouver, Canada, and the last performance of the three day weekend, a group called Clumsy Lovers. 

"They are a mix of Celtic, Bluegrass," Kermeen said.  "I mean it's just a great band.  I'm really excited about them."

With three stages, 26 performances and 80 performers, the festival offers music for all tastes.  And it's a chance for aspiring acts, who weren't booked this year, to showcase their talent on what's known as the Busking Stage.

"Most of the buskers play acoustic music," said President of Friends of the Porkies, Jim Bradley.  "So the barn ended up being a really good place for that kind of thing."

The Friends of the Porkies, who organize the festival, say it's drawn new people to the park.

"It went from an average summer weekend to the busiest weekend of the season," Bradley said.  "Obviously the economic impact to the area is significant as well."

The festival starts Friday at noon and runs through Sunday at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $90 for three days or $35 a day, with discounts for teens and seniors.