History:

Springville, Utah seems like an unlikely place for what is now one of the largest festivals of folk dance and music in the United States. But after more than 20 years of rigorous work that is exactly what the Springville World Folkfest has become. Hundreds of dancers and musicians from more than forty-five countries have performed, thousands of spectators have watched and cheered them on, and an outdoor amphitheatre has risen to become a state-of-the-art facility specifically designed to accommodate folk dancing.

This exceptional celebration was born during a meeting in January of 1986 of individuals who hoped to create a folk festival in Springville. Others agreed that celebrations are indeed fun things and what better kind of celebration than one of the unique cultures around the world?

This is where the rigorous work began. Scores of dancers needed to be housed, fed, and transported-sometimes without the ability to communicate in English. Fortunately, Springville’s City Council had faith in the project and supplied some financial support, volunteers sprung up and dedicated thousands of hours to the festival, and local residents opened their homes and hearts to the performers as host families. A wooden stage was erected for the Folkfest over home plate in a baseball field northwest of Springville High School-and the tradition commenced! The first Springville World Folkfest was presented the August of 1986.