Later this month, the Philadelphia Folk Festival will be in full swing at Old Pool Farm to offer a tailored lineup of live music, enticing food, activities for all ages and more.
The historic and family-friendly occasion got its start in 1961 and was known as the longest continuously running outdoor music festival of its kind in North America before taking a hiatus last year.
The PFF is also the primary fundraising event for the Philadelphia Folksong Society (established in 1957), which offers different programs of presentation, participation and education throughout the Philadelphia area and the country.
These programs present a cultural history of society and provide enjoyment to thousands of people of all ages, while also preserving a vast variety of musical styles and historical perspectives, their website states. What also makes the society unique, however, is the fact that it’s solely operated by 2,400 dedicated volunteers.
In 2024, the PFF lineup will pay homage to the festival’s roots, with performers this year including Gangstagrass, John Oates, Tony Trischka’s EarlJam – A Tribute to Earl Scruggs, The Secret Sisters, Adam Ezra Group and more.
This is also the first year back since the Philadelphia Folk Festival and presenter Philadelphia Folksong Society underwent strategic restructuring during their 2023 hiatus.
“In early 2023, the board of PFS made the very difficult decision to cancel the Philadelphia Folk Festival for that year,” says PFS board president, Miles Thompson in a statement.
“PFS was deeply in debt from the previous festival and the general operations of the organization. This was the first time since 1962 that the Philadelphia Folk Festival would not happen. We discussed declaring bankruptcy. We discussed discontinuing entirely. But in the end, we decided that the magical experience that is the Philadelphia Folk Festival must survive.”
It also came at a time when the festival had undergone virtual presentations during COVID.
“We had no money, but we had PFS members, volunteers, and music lovers who form an amazing, supportive community, who love the experience and tradition of the festival, and who made it clear that they would do whatever they could to help bring the festival back,” Thompson continues.
“The board of PFS enacted a policy of having all regular meetings open to the public and being very transparent about our financial struggles and attempts to ‘right the ship.’ The board agreed to become a ‘working board’ taking on administrative duties and fundraising responsibilities that would otherwise be handled by paid staff.”
Members of the PFS donated, rejoined PFS after taking some time away, gave dues early and more. One member even donated $25,000 from their family trust to revive the cultural affair.
“The Philly Folk Festival is a place where time and age stand still,” says 2024 performer and lifelong attendee, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of the band RUNA. “Where friends become family. Where the magic of music and love is shared between generations, and where the memories of those who have gone before continue to dance with us.”
In addition to the main line-up of performers, the PFF has also announced a new collaboration with the Xtreme Folk Scene, presenters of Xfest, to welcome performers from the Musical Artists Cooperative (MAC) to the 2024 celebration.
As a release notes, the Xtreme Folk Scene stage, titled “Anger, Hope, and Outrage,” will feature music that pushes the boundaries of tradition and celebrates the fusion of various genres. Performers include Sug Daniels, Anarkhipov, Persistent Resistors, A Day Without Love, and Matt Pless. Visitors can catch the Xtreme Folk Showcase on the Tank Stage, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on the Philadelphia Folk Festival at Old Pool Farm (1323 Salford Station Rd., Schwenksville,), including ticket sales, lineup announcements, and volunteer opportunities, visit folkfest.org
