Behind the calm facade of Grand River Avenue, area residents were dancing in the streets this weekend.
Downtown East Lansing was inundated with thousands of people who came to take advantage of a myriad of ethnic music, art and food that came hand-in-hand with the 63rd National Folk Festival, which ran from Friday through Sunday.
This weekend’s festival was filled with various crafts, foods and activities, but the highlight of the event for most patrons was the music. There were more than 20 musical acts performing two or three times apiece at any of the five downtown stages.
Parks, street corners and parking lots all played host to stages, some of which were covered with massive red and white-striped tents - accentuating the festival’s circus-like atmosphere.
The Hot Club of Cowtown, an Austin, Texas, swing band, played under the tent at the City Hall Stage, and was joined by folk legend Johnny Gimble.
Whit Smith, the band’s guitarist, said the festival is a great experience not only for the audience, but for the musicians as well.
“It’s great having the opportunity to meet other musicians,” said Smith, who was excited about playing in a jam session Sunday night with other performers.
“And I did a workshop earlier with Doc Watson and David Doucet.”
For musicians who play specialty music, festivals are a great way to reach a new audience, Smith said.
“So many people who don’t get out to see new music can come out and see many different bands at once,” Smith said. “It’s a great atmosphere for everyone, especially families.”
Devon Hill, who graduated from MSU in May, said the presence of The Hot Club of Cowtown and Acadian French band Barachois were two of the reasons she came to this year’s festival.
She called the event “great for the city.”
Hill said hosting the festival is a special honor for the city, and that it leaves a lasting impression on those who attend. The festival, in its third and final year in East Lansing, hits Bangor, Maine, next year.
It will be replaced locally by a similar version.
“It’s hard to realize all that East Lansing has to offer until they hold an event like the Folk Festival,” Hill said. “It’s not just about music, it’s about culture.”
Kelcey Anderson, the marketing and media director of the festival, said the variety of music and culture it brings into East Lansing is very important for area residents.
Next year’s inaugural Great Lakes Folk Festival will mirror the national gala.
Many members of the community showed their support by volunteering during the weekend.
Judy Franklin traveled from her home in Leslie to volunteer Saturday and Sunday in the children’s tent.
“I felt like we took advantage of the festival for the past two years, and it was time to give back,” she said. “The folk festival has been a great experience for me, both as a volunteer and as a participant in the events.”
Meanwhile, for others it was a family day.
East Lansing resident Sharon Castle brought her children to the festival for music and activities.
“They love it, there is such a great variety,” Castle said. “I think it’s a wonderful event, it speaks of the uniqueness of East Lansing.”
Cavan Moon can be reached at mooncava@msu.edu.
