The Philadelphia Folk Festival will return to Old Pool Farm this weekend 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 in 2023. 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.
Last year was 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,” said PFS board president, Miles Thompson in a previous 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.”
The efforts paid off for a successful 2024 festival, and now in 2025, the line-up includes performers like Alison Brown, John Morelan, Solas, John Gorka, The Lee Boys, Ordinary Elephant, Eileen Ivers and more.
There are a few extra musical and interactive elements to look out for while there this year as well.
Curated by the famed Bethlehem venue of the same name, ‘Welcome To Godfrey Daniels’, will feature different “in the round performances” from songwriters Heather Aubrey-Lloyd, Danielia Cotton, Nick Franclik, and Jack Murray on the Tank Stage. The April Fools (performers Buskin & Batteau, Carla Ulbrich, Christine Lavin, and John Forster) will each be doing individual sets over the weekend on the Main Stage as well.
Janie Rothfield and Allan Carr will also put together a “Family That Plays Together” showcase, plus, Janie is set to participate in the Fiddle Workshop in the Culture Tent and the Five Strings (Banjo) Workshop on the Tank Stage, a release notes. Dulcimer Grove on the other hand will host activities for the entire family including performances from Eric Abraham, Dave Fry, The Give & Take Jugglers, Mr. David C. Perry, Phoenix Rising Puppets, and Two of a Kind. Kids Creations will additionally provide crafts for younger audiences to do while listening to music in the Grove.
The Festival weekend will also include a Sunday performance from The Great Groove Band (which features all levels, school-age musicians). The group is guided over the weekend by Philadelphia Folk Festival’s instructors, and the students will prepare a performance for that afternoon on the Martin Stage.
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
