Celebrating 40 Years of The North Carolina International Folk Festival in 2023

2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of The North Carolina International Folk Festival The festival has celebrated many milestones since 1984 when Dr. Clinton Border’s vision for an international dance festival in Western North Carolina first became real. In 2003, The North Carolina General Assembly declared The North Carolina International Folk Festival to be the state’s official international festival. The Southeast Tourism Society has named Folkmoot USA one of its top twenty events for 20 years. Today Folkmoot USA still produces one of the largest and longest running dance festivals in the world. It continues to draw thousands of national and international visitors to Western North Carolina annually during the last week of July. Over four decades the festival has remained a consistent and vital part of Western North Carolina’s cultural identity.

As Folkmoot USA celebrates our 40th Anniversary we’re reflecting on the changing demographics of the mountains, North Carolina and of The United States. Now more than ever, The United States is home to countless international cultures and traditions. There are strong, vibrant international communities in every part of the United States. The people who’ve established these communities, bring with them their families, their beliefs, and their practices. They bring with them their music and dance and culture. The United States is comprised of international communities, and at Folkmoot’s International Day we are spotlighting these communities.

For our 40th Anniversary, Folkmoot International Day will celebrate dance, music, crafts, food, and beer of many World cultures and the Appalachian Mountains.

Folkmoot of 1984 brought outside cultures to WNC to perform and share and bring the cultures of their home countries.
Folkmoot of 2023 celebrates the millions of Americans who are talented artists who practice the dance, music of their homes.
A lot has changed in 40 years. A lot has stayed the same. Please join us July 29, 2023 and celebrate the finest artists the United States has to offer.

Date: July 29, 2023

Location: Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28785

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