New England Folk Festival

New England Folk Festival

Third weekend in April

The first New England Folk Festival was held in 1944, and for 25 years it was held in different locations throughout New England. Now its permanent home is in Natick, Massachusetts, and all of the festival's events are held in and around Natick High School. The emphasis is on folk dancing: Morris dancing teams from all over the country perform at the festival, and there are square and contra dances, folk dance workshops, and many other events for folk dance enthusiasts. There are also instrumental jam sessions, national food booths, and displays of ethnic crafts, such as Ukrainian Easter eggs and colored scrimshaw.
The festival is unusual in that those who attend are encouraged to participate by bringing along their musical instruments and joining in any impromptu or scheduled jam sessions or workshops. Attendees are also encouraged to dance with any group they choose.

CONTACTS:
New England Folk Festival Association
1770 Massachusetts Ave.
P.O. Box 282
Cambridge, MA 02140
781-662-6710; fax: 781-662-6730
www.neffa.org

SOURCES:
MusFestAmer-1990, p. 224

Celebration days:
2011: Apr 16; Apr 17
2012: Apr 21; Apr 22
2013: Apr 20; Apr 21
2014: Apr 19; Apr 20
2015: Apr 18; Apr 19