“It’s a terrific event,” says Bernie Lynch, Lowell City Manager.  “Fans of every kind of music flock to the Festival. We have visitors who come again and again.  Since the Festival lasts three days, they want to see as much of it as they can.”  The Folk Festival has also been rated one of the “Top 100 Events in the U.S.” by the American Bus Association, a major tourism organization.

While holding fast to its American folk roots, the Festival also showcases the folk music traditions of other cultures.  “We’re keeping the beat,” says Michael Creasey, Superintendent of Lowell National Historical Park. “You can tap your toes to Cajun swing, Latin timba, Irish fiddle, the blues, and more.  You can even dance through the streets with a Brazilian Band.”  A complete listing of performers is available online at www.lowellfolkfestival.org.

A big part of the Festival is the food.  More than a dozen cultures share their ethnic foods, ranging from African and Asian to Filipino and Portuguese.  Many food booths are operated by social groups and churches, much as at an old-time fair. 

“Visitors study their maps to survey all the food vendors, and if one of their favorites is missing, we hear about it,” laughs Deb Belanger of the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Lowell Folk Festival is a great place to bring the family.  With continuous music on six outdoor stages, dancing pavilions, master craftspeople demonstrating their skills, and kids’ activities, the Festival has something for everyone.

Featured musicians at the Festival this year include:

• The Aravod Ensemble- Armenian
• Boi Bumba- Brazilian ox-dance 
• Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy- blues       
• Dorado Schmitt & The Django Reinhardt Festival All Star Band- Gypsy jazz
• Durga Krishnan and The New England School for Carnatic Music- South Indian veena
• Edmar Castaneda- Colombian harp
• Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul - Irish
• Forró for All- Brazilian forró
• Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta- Latin dance music
• James Hand and the Magic Band- Honky-tonk and country
• Johnny White & The Country Masters- New England Country & Western
• Kevin Locke- Lakota hoop dance and flute
• Lost Bayou Ramblers- Cajun
• Marcus Santos and BatukAxé- Brazilian percussion ensemble
• No Speed Limit- bluegrass
• Old New England- New England contradance
• Olympic Melodies- Greek and Middle Eastern 
• Ponleur Cheath- Khmer wedding rituals and music
• Steven Greenman & The Moldavish Ensemble- Moldavian klezmer
• The Beaudoin Project- Franco American 
• The Eastern Sound Orchestra- Polish polka
• The Lee Boys- sacred steel
• Troy MacGillivray, Allan Dewar and Doug Lamey- Cape Breton
• Wacongo Dance Company- Congolese drumming and dance
  

“The whole program is still growing,” says Creasey.  “People should keep an eye on the website for the most recent additions.”

The Lowell Folk Festival is presented by Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Festival Foundation,  the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the City of Lowell, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, contact Lowell National Historical Park at 978-970-5200 (TDD 978-970-5002) or visit online at www.lowellfolkfestival.org.