MAIN Travel USA Massachusetts Lowell Folk Festival

The last full weekend in July is the traditional date for the Lowell Folk Festival, which has run every year since it first began in 1990.

Like many music festivals that dot the country, the Lowell Folk Festival can trace its beginnings to the National Folk Festival, which Lowell hosted from 1987 until 1989. The National Folk Festival is now a moveable feast nationwide, but in Lowell the love of folk music that the festival had inspired continues to endure.

Today, the Lowell Folk Festival is billed by organizers as being the largest free music festival in the United States, drawing in almost 200,000 people annually from the local area, the country, and beyond.

Every year, for the three days that the music festival runs, much of the historic cobblestone downtown area is transformed in to grounds for the music festival. There are six stages, which host music most of the day, and festival goers are free to wander from stage to stage, taking in whatever music they like.

Food also features prominently at the festival. Local ethnic organizations come together to provide food for the festival, from Asian and Filipino specialties to Jamaican and soul food.

The Lowell Folk Festival is also child friendly. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to enjoy the music, and kids can also participate in the family activities or take in the crafts demonstration area.

The Lowell Folk Festival being free, donations and willing volunteers are always encouraged and very much appreciated. In a gesture of the festival organizer's appreciation of those who donate their time and money, the festival awards a scholarship to one deserving youth each year.

Lowell Folk Festival Lineup

In 2012, watch for the first official lineup of major headliners in mid-June, with the rest of the concert schedule announced as opening day draws near. Generally, the weekend festival kicks-off with a downtown parade on Friday with the first of many performances staged at the Dutton Street Dance Pavilion.

Other festival venues throughout downtown Lowell traditionally include Boarding House Park, JFK Plaza, Market Street, Lee Street, St. Anne's Churchyard, and the corner of John and Merrimack Streets.

More about the Lowell Folk Festival around the Web:

Lowell Folk Festival - The official site with the complete current schedule and list of performers, ethnic food menu, crafts & kids activities, maps & directions, FAQ.

Lowell.com - Lowell Folk Festival - Good overview of the annual event with information on local hotels, restaurants and related Lowell attractions.

Lowell Folk Festival on Flickr - Local scenes and musical performers in a large photo gallery taken at the 2008 festival.

also see -> Big E - Big Eastern States Exposition

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Massachusetts Wineries | Boston Tourist Attractions

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