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• Nashville TN

The National Folk Festival

Nashville, TN September 2-4, 2011 | FREE ADMISSION

General Info

Event Info
 
The 73rd National Folk Festival, September 2-4, 2011
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park








Thank you to all who stopped by the NCTA booth and entered the 73rd National Folk Festival Martin Guitar Giveaway. We appreciate your interest in the NCTA and Martin Guitar.

The Giveaway announcement planned for 6 PM at the Capitol Hill Stage was rescheduled to 5:15 PM at the Jefferson Street Dance Tent, due to inclement weather.

The winner of the HD-28 Martin Guitar was Joshua White, of Nashville, TN. The winner of the OXK Ukulele was David Larsen, also of Nashville, TN. We are still working on contacting our third winner. We have posted photos of the winners and their new instruments on the NCTA facebook page.

For more information on Martin Guitar, please visit martinguitar.com. For more information on the NCTA, please visit ncta.net.

Thank you again for your support of the 73rd National Folk Festival, and your participation in the Martin Guitar Giveaway. Hope to see you next year!

Festival Site

A Celebration of America’s Cultural Roots   
The National Folk Festival features over 250 of the nation’s finest traditional musicians, dancers and craftspeople, 6 stages of continuous performances, participatory dancing, parades, workshops, crafts exhibits and demonstrations, a festival marketplace, children’s activities and delicious regional and ethnic foods.
Folk arts are those deeply held grassroots cultural expressions—music, dance, crafts, stories and foodways—passed on in families, communities, tribal, ethnic, regional and occupational groups.  The festival’s programming embraces the heritage and traditions of all Americans—from those whose families have been here for centuries to those who have recently arrived on our shores.  Legendary masters as well as the next generation of dynamic young artists celebrate the musical soul and cultural roots of America.
Audiences are treated to authentic blues, gospel, jazz, polka, cowboy, bluegrass, klezmer, old-time, Cajun, rhythm and blues, mariachi, western swing, zydeco, as well as traditional music and dance from Native American, Celtic, Acadian, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Asian, Appalachian, Hispanic, Eastern European, African and Pacific Island cultures.

Hours of Operation
Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, September 3, Noon - 10:30 PM
Sunday, September 4, Noon - 6:30 PM
 
Festival sales and food vendors will open one hour earlier: 
6:00 PM on Friday, and 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday
 
Admission
The National Folk Festival is a FREE event—you can enjoy all of the performances, the Tennessee Folklife Area and the Family Activities Area at no cost.  Food, drink and marketplace handcrafts are available for purchase.
 
Bucket Brigade
The National Folk Festival a FREE event, and your contributions help to make it possible!  A group of dedicated community volunteers, known as “The Bucket Brigade,” will circulate during the festival and ask for your support. All of your donations will go directly to cover the costs of the festival. Thank you in advance for your support.
 
In the Event of Rain
The National Folk Festival is presented rain or shine. In the event of rain, please visit our website and information booths located throughout the festival to receive performance schedule updates.
 
Information Booths
 There are information booths located throughout the festival. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
 
Sign Language Interpretation
Stop by any of the information booths located throughout the festival for details about which performances will be interpreted.
 
Emergency Services/First Aid
There are four first aid/emergency service centers at the National Folk Festival. Please see the map for locations.
 
Restrooms
Portable restrooms and hand-washing stations will be located in numerous locations throughout the festival.
 
No Pets
DO NOT BRING PETS (other than service animals) to the festival. We expect very large crowds and your pets will be more comfortable at home.

Lost People
If a child or person in your party gets lost, immediately approach a volunteer, easily identified by his/her brightly colored shirt. Volunteers have access to persons with radios, who can get you help right away.

Your Presence is Your Permission
Special photographers and videographers have been hired by festival organizers to document the event. Some images may be used in later promotional materials. Your presence at the event is seen as your permission for such promotional use by the non-for-profit organizers.
 

Watch Live!

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