The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Montgomery County’s largest event, is returning to Schwenksville next week, even bigger and better, writes Lily Henderson for the Main Line Today.
The festival’s 62nd annual weekend will be at Old Pool Farm from August 15 to 17.
The event was canceled in 2023 due to financial difficulties.
“We were $200,000-plus in debt,” said Eric Ring, president of the Philadelphia Folksong Society, the festival’s presenter.
Recovering from that level of hardship took a full community effort. Volunteers have worked tirelessly to build advertising partnerships, including one with the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, while the festival has used every tool available to keep the music alive. Organizers have developed strategic plans for future years, but their focus is on making this year a success.
The festival will have around 40 acts performing on seven different stages. Audiences will get the chance to enjoy influences of Hindustani classical, Cajun, Creole, Celtic fiddle, and earthy Appalachia.
“The talent on the stages this year is going to be phenomenal,” said Philadelphia Folk Festival director Michael Braunfeld.
Festival goers can look forward to performances from artists like Alejandro Escovedo, Alison Brown, and American Patchwork Quartet, among others.
Read more about the Philadelphia Folk Festival in the Main Line Today.
