From New Orleans jazz and honky-tonk to mariachi, go-go and gospel, the oldest and longest-running multicultural arts celebration in the country is just months away from landing on the Eastern Shore, in Salisbury, Maryland. On September 7, 8 and 9th the 78th National Folk Festival will bring music, dance, crafts, food, parades and folklife demonstrations in the heart of downtown Salisbury.
“There are always phenomenal performances at the National Folk Festival,” said Steve Riley, Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. “As a performer, I always hear something that moves me and I make connections that I will have for the rest of my life. There is a great cross-section of all types of traditional music and we always get a positive response from the crowd. We have Mardi Gras in Louisiana. And it’s one wild party. The National Folk Festival in Salisbury should be too!”
The three-day outdoor event is free and is expected to pull people in from as far as 300 miles away. Not only will it attract up to 80,000 attendees in its first year, the event is projected to bring in between $15-$30 million in direct spending for the area over the festival weekend.
With that many people coming to town, the city is actively recruiting volunteers to hit the 800 mark before the kick-off of the event. National Folk Festival leaders have booked 350 artists and craftspeople with up to 40 coming from right here on the Shore. Attendees can enjoy traditional Maryland fare and ethnic cuisine.
“Performing at the National Folk Festival has been an unbelievable experience,” said Liz Carroll of Liz Carroll and Jake Charron, the Irish duo.
“As musicians, we tend to live in our own worlds but this festival allows us to open up our eyes, ears, and minds to other genres of music and some of the best talents in the whole world. From boat builders and weavers to artists and even a group who sits up on poles that stand 100 feet up in the air. There are truly gifted people everywhere you turn. And the festival followers are amazing. They want to listen to American music, old-world music and the National Folk Festival has it all.”
For more information visit https://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/
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