The American Folk Festival August 22-24: All You Need to Know!

Guest post by Kelsey Johns

The American Folk Festival is only a few days away. The last arrangements are being made, the schedules are printing, the artists are getting to town, the stages are being organized, and the atmosphere is starting to come together.

With four stages spread across the Bangor Waterfront, tons of performers, a Marketplace with hand-made crafts and food, a Food Court overflowing with delicious treats and entrees, a Children’s Village for fun and adventure, a Folk-Life area full of information and traditions, and a newly stocked Beer & Wine Pavilion sure to satisfy your thirst with many additional local beers, this three-day event is not something to miss out on!

To make this spectacular event happen, we must remember the 800 plus volunteers and every dollar donated. If you didn’t catch some of the blog posts from earlier this summer, feel free to check out Robin Murphy’s volunteer perspective and Angela Smith’s post about the vitality of volunteers. In addition, please don’t forget about the Donation Stations, Bucket Brigade, and online donation opportunities. Keep your eyes open this year for those who participated in the Family Circle or Producer’s Circle to see if either one interests you for next year.

Once you sit down and look at the American Folk Festival line-up (whether it be on the AFF website, the schedule you get at the festival, or in the BDN), you may be a bit overwhelmed with the amount of places to be and things to see. And we have a solution for you! I have just downloaded the new American Folk Festival app on my smartphone and it is absolutely great. There’s a map, a full schedule, a place to create your own schedule, a list of food and craft vendors, easy access to make a donation, and (wait for it)… a place to share your Folk Festival pictures so they can make it onto the official Twitter and Facebook pages!

And if you do happen to miss a day of the festival or if you are arriving after the opening, tune in to WERU (89.9 Blue Hill, 99.9 Bangor) for a live-broadcast from the Railroad Stage on Saturday and Sunday. In the meantime, if you are looking for a way to pump yourself up for the festival’s music, take a listen to Maine Internet Radio’s “American Folk Festival Radio” station! On the station you can listen to past and present performers’ music, interviews with performers, volunteers, and staff, and fun festival facts.

I know it is said every year, but this year is going to be fantastic. There is a great line-up in store, fabulous vendors ready for action, and sunny skies predicted for the weekend! And if you have any questions about what to bring, take a look at our “Top Ten Essentials for You Families to Bring to the American Folk Festival” post!

Kelsey Johns is a Bentley University student and a longtime lover of the American Folk Festival. She lives in Maine with her family and their pets on Chemo Pond.
Dan Cashman

About Dan Cashman

Dan Cashman has been involved with the American Folk Festival since 2011 and is currently serving on the board of the Festival. For more information about the American Folk Festival, visit www.americanfolkfestival.com.