Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Celebrating a decade in Greensboro, the three-day North Carolina Folk Festival held last weekend was a true “festival of discovery” as a plethora of musical groups entertained audiences throughout downtown with 90 performances across seven stages.
Each day featured performances that highlighted primarily North Carolina artists. Open and tented stages dotted the area from the intersection of Summit Avenue and Church Street on the north and south to the Depot. Within the new configuration, the Folk Fest presented a family area, an expanded makers marketplace, food trucks, large adult beverage stations, along with pre and post parties in downtown Greensboro.
More than 100,000 people attended the free event showcasing multiple genres and artists from across the world.
This year’s Folk Festival opened with a performance by local group the Queen Bees and the pulsating beat of the acclaimed Cold Steel drumline of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Performances in LeBauer Park attracted music lovers, who chose to lounge on the grass or sit in their own chairs while listening and dancing to a variety of musical genres. Hundreds of volunteers ferried performers, collected donations, delivered and served food and worked the stages.
Prior to each performance, festival officials reminded audiences that the festival’s “free entertainment” costs $1.5 million to produce, and they “can keep it free with monetary donations.” This year’s donation goal was $400,000. Even after the event, donations can still be made online: https://ncfolkfestival.com/donate/.
The 2025 N.C. Folk Festival is scheduled for September 12 to 14 in downtown Greensboro.
