The North Carolina Folk Festival celebrated its 10th year anniversary September 6-8 in downtown Greensboro and 110,000 visitors were there to witness it!
Having lived in Greensboro for most of my adult life, I’ve experienced those ten festivals from the very beginning, but this year was different. Instead of simply meeting up with friends for the concerts, I took it all in through the eyes of UNCG students, staff, and alumni – and it only deepened my appreciation for Greensboro.
Here’s a glimpse of what I saw through my blue- and gold-colored lenses:
The Business of the Folk Fest
Festival organizers report that $25 million dollars of economic impact was generated during the weekend of the North Carolina Folk Festival. To keep the festival free for the public, corporate and private sponsors support the festival’s organization, help draw big-name acts, and provide operational funding for the three-day event.
UNCG is a proud sponsor of the festival. Beyond corporate funding, our support is evident in the alumni and staff that play in many of the featured bands, interactive jams, and dance showcases. Representatives of the College of Visual and Performing Arts could be seen on the stages and in the marketplace craft booths, and the School of Nursing was also visible this year as nursing students provided health screenings to festival attendees at the Minerva Mobile Health Unit.
Culture Hits Different at the Folk Fest
Although folk music can mean many different things to different people, during this one weekend in Greensboro, folk music is everything. Viewing the festival through blue and gold glasses uplifts the appreciation for all kinds of art. Just like UNCG accepts students where they are and helps them to be their very best, the folk festival brings bands from all genres to light. And Greensboro is here for it.
Attendees jump from Irish jigs to bluegrass to gospel soul as they weave from stage to stage. Young people in Spartan t-shirts mix with families with young children and retirees, and everyone grooves together. (It’s enough to make you forget it’s a tenuous election year. How do we keep this groove going, Greensboro?)
Aside from the music, following Spiro through the festival is an attraction in itself. When they see Spiro, alumni come in for hugs, wide-eyed children consider their future college choices, and high fives reign supreme. Spiro’s energy brings a vibe that somehow fits right in at the folk festival.
Community First, Folks!
Whether it’s the Hendersonville Apple Festival, the Mt. Airy Autumn Leaves Festival, or Benson’s Mule Days, festivals bring people out to celebrate what’s important to their community. How lucky are we that Greensboro’s festival is about music of all genres?
At its core, the folk festival is a reminder of the creative, diverse, and fun community we live in and UNCG’s influence is a big part of that. ‘Til next year, North Carolina Folk Festival! Thanks for bringing us together.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Videography by David Lee Row and Grant Gilliard, University Communications.
