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Folkmoot
USA in Waynesville NC
This year (2011)
Folkmoot USA is celebrating it's 28th year of song
and dance with its annual state international
festival of North Carolina. An Old English
word, meaning "meeting of the people", Folkmoot's
first festival (1983) happened to fall on the 400th
birthday of North Carolina.
Recognized by
the
CIOFF International Festival, Folkmoot
is a celebration of the world's cultural
heritage through folk music and dancing.
Lasting for two weeks each year, the
festival officially starts with a parade
through down-town Waynesville, featuring
dancers and performers from about a dozen
countries. It starts with a few words
from town and regional leaders at the
historic court house steps.
Folkmoot is
one of only two international festivals in
America, from more than 300 similar
worldwide festivals. It has been designated
“One of the Top Twenty Events in the
Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society
for 20 years. Folkmoot USA attracts 100,000
visitors to Western North Carolina.
Performers
wear their best cultural garb, and display
work shops during the annual event.
Over the past 27 years, more than 200 folk
groups from 100 countries have participated,
sharing their national heritage with locals.
For example, 2010’s invited groups included
Russia, Latvia, Poland, Jordan, Switzerland,
Portugal, France, United Kingdom (Irish
Dancers) and Peru.
During the
two weeks, the groups travel to various
locations throughout Western North Carolina,
including Waynesville,
Canton,
Maggie
Valley, Clyde, Highlands, Asheville,
Bryson
City, Lake Junaluska, Cullowhee, Columbus,
Burnsville, Marion, Mars Hill,
Franklin,
Flat Rock, and Stecoah.
Other events
include the Parade of Nations, 5k Run/Walk,
and Kid's Fun Run. International
Festival Day--for information and vendor
applications call Haywood County Arts
Council, 828-452-0593 or see their website:
www.haywoodarts.org. All take place in
Waynesville, NC.
For more
information about Folkmoot USA 2011, visit
their
website, or call 828-452-2997.
You can also
buy tickets online for Folkmoot USA here.
Folkmoot
USA
PO Box 658
Waynesville, NC 28786
Toll-Free: 1.877.FOLK.USA
Local: 828.452.2997
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Down
Town
Waynesville
