On Friday afternoon, Kiama MP Gareth Ward presented a $10,000 cheque from the state government to organisers of the Kiama festival.

Former Australian Idol winner Leith will lead a line-up of 35 artists.

The festival will run from September 26-28 over six venues and include 70 concerts.

Mr Ward played the fiddle at last year's festival and has been invited to do so again.

"The funds are going towards this festival, which brings so much to the town," he said.

"Last year, the [Illawarra] Folk Club ran an outstanding festival that brought people from right around the region and beyond, and we want to see that happen again, because Kiama embraces tourism, and it also embraces the music.

"Like other festivals, it provides for not just an opportunity for locals to enjoy the music, but it's a great economic injection for the town.

"People get to see and experience Kiama through the lens of folk music."

Illawarra Folk Club president Russell Hannah said the funds would go a long way towards covering costs for the festival.

"It's a community event, and I think the more help you can get to run community events the better," he said.

Other national and international acts appearing include Australian legend Mic Conway, Sydney's Miriam Lieberman, Western Australian Rory Faithfield, Sydney folk/punk band The Bottlers and Grammy Award nominee Beth Patterson from New Orleans.

■For more information, visit the folkbythesea.com.au website.