Richmond Folk Festival 2024: Celebrating 20 Years of Cultural Heritage

The Richmond Folk Festival is a significant cultural event in Virginia, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The festival will take place from September 27 to September 29, 2024, in downtown Richmond's historic riverfront. Here are the key details:

Schedule

  • Friday, September 27: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday, September 28: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Sunday, September 29: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Stages and Performances

The festival features six stages with continuous music and dance performances. Over 30 performing groups from around the nation and the world will showcase their talents. Some of the notable performers include:
  • Albert Lee (rockabilly) from Malibu, California
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  • Bombino (Tuareg guitar) from Agadez, Niger
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  • Cora Harvey Armstrong (gospel) from Richmond, Virginia
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  • Eddie Cotton, Jr. (soul blues) from Clinton, Mississippi
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  • Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds (Cajun) from Carencro, Louisiana
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  • Supaman (Native American hip hop) from Crow Reservation, near Billings, Montana
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  • Tremé Brass Band (New Orleans brass band) from New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Ustad Noor Bakhsh (benju master) from Pasni, Balochistan, Pakistan
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  • Wayne Henderson & Friends (Appalachian finger-picked guitar) from Rugby, Virginia.

Special Events

  • 20th-Anniversary Folk Festival Parade: On Saturday, September 28 at 5:15 PM, the Tremé Brass Band will lead a parade in honor of the festival’s 20th anniversary. The parade will start after a short performance in front of the American Civil War Museum on Tredegar Street.
  • Family Area: Produced by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, this area will feature activities like creating bug versions of the iconic bag hat, hand painting, crafting balloon creations, and more. There will also be a live beehive demonstration and various games and crafts related to insects.

Additional Information

  • Food and Drink: The festival offers a variety of regional and ethnic foods. Food vendors accept both cash and credit cards, while beverage sales are cashless.
  • Parking and Transportation: Off-site parking is available at Dogwood Dell on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle buses will transport attendees to the festival site for a $5 roundtrip fee. Bike parking is also available near 2nd and Spring Street.
  • Volunteer Opportunities: The festival relies on volunteers for various roles, including beverage sales and safety escorts. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt, close-in parking during their shift, a discount at the merchandise tent, and an invitation to the after-party.

Accessibility and Safety

  • No Pets: Pets are not allowed at the festival, except for service animals.
  • Emergency Services: Emergency service centers will be available at several locations within the festival grounds.
  • Green Festival: The Richmond Folk Festival is committed to sustainability with recycling stations throughout the site.
For more detailed information, including the full performance schedule and artist bios, visit the official Richmond Folk Festival website.