Each year the Bangor waterfront becomes a vibrant collage of world cultures for the American Folk Festival. People from all around the country and the world gather to share their music, dance and culture. No matter your age or background the festival has something for you. The festival is regularly recognized as one of the best festivals to attend to America. The venue is filled with vendors selling beautiful hand crafted items. In addition, there are food vendors from all over the country and a group of Maine vendors who are showcasing some of the state’s best food items. The community takes great pride in the festival and they show it by volunteering at the event to help visitors have the best experience possible. One thing that makes this festival so popular is the fact that it is free to attend. The attractive pricing, live music, and friendly faces makes this a truly fun and unique experience. We got the opportunity to interview event representative Dan Cashman about the festival.
RAL: Tell me all about the festival.
DC: The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront is a three-day festival celebrating music and dance from the many cultures that make up America today. The event began in 2002 when the National Folk Festival came to Bangor for three years. After the third and final year in 2004, the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront was born. With the National Folk Festival and the American Folk Festival combined, the 2015 edition will be the 14th folk festival in Bangor.
Usually we see about 100,000 people on the Bangor Waterfront throughout the three-day event. The makeup of the attendees varies. There are lots of children, in fact, there is a “Children’s Village” around the middle of the festival grounds focused on performances, events, and games designed for kids to have fun. There are lots of families, groups, couples, and individuals alike. It really is a free-for-all, because it’s literally free…for…all. We do suggest a $10 donation per person per day, or $20 for a family, but there are no gates to get in, and there is no admission. That’s one of the aspects that makes the American Folk Festival so unique. We offer 16 different performers on four major stages, a wide array of food and craft, activities for the entire family, and a safe family-friendly environment, free of charge.
RAL: What is a typical day at the event like?
DC: For attendees, one of the first things that will pop out is the music. There are 16 different performers this year, all representing a different culture. On one stage, you might hear an uptempo Memphis Blues performance, and then if you walk 500 feet in another direction, you might hear music and dance from Syria. This year, folks can also expect to hear Bluegrass, Gospel, Cowboy, Quebecois, Creole, Salsa, & Latin Jazz, Rockabilly, and more. It’s one of the most diverse live music selections you will find, which is extremely unique to Maine.
In addition to the music, there is a Folk Life Area which is celebrating 150 years of the University of Maine this year. There are traditional craft demonstrations and exhibits, dozens of food vendors offering ethnic food, regional specialties and traditional festival favorites, as well as a marketplace offering unique handcrafted items and “Taste of Maine” treats for sale.
The American Folk Festival takes place in the heart of Downtown Bangor, so if people want to venture out and grab a slice of local flavor, the walk is not that far and the options are plentiful.
RAL: What can visitors expect for local lodging?
DC: Bangor has a wide variety of local lodging, some within a short walk and others within a short drive. Because the American Folk Festival not only attracts festival-goers from around the region and the country, but also performers and their families, our recommendation is to find a place that suits your needs and book early!
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
DC: When the American Folk Festival/National Folk Festival began in 2002, Bangor’s Waterfront looked dramatically different than it does today. Since the festival’s beginnings, development has occurred directly around the American Folk Festival site, including a new arena, casino, concert series, and improvements to the waterfront area in general. According to a recent study from the Maine Arts Commission, the economic impact of the American Folk Festival to the Bangor area is just over $15 million annually. That is a significant economic driver for Eastern Maine.
RAL: Why should people come to the American Folk Festival?
DC: The American Folk Festival is unique, and it’s held in a very special place. Bangor is still an area that some tourists consider to be a hidden gem. It is not overrun with tourists in a way that feels crowded or congested, but there is plenty going on in this community for those who do visit.
The festival is also unique because it offers a variety of music, cultures, food, and crafts from all over the world, and from here in Maine. On top of that, it’s free. Many of the musicians performing at the festival would command a $30-$40 (or higher) ticket if you were seeing them by themselves in a concert hall. At the American Folk Festival, you not only see many talented performers, but you can experience Maine at its finest. The people, the scenery and the spirit that you hear about are all here.
If you want to make extend the trip beyond just the weekend, you are about an hour away (in different directions) from our beautiful coastline, Acadia National Park, Mount Katahdin, our state capitol, and beautiful picturesque lakes, rivers, and streams. You’re also only about five minutes away from a photo-op in front of Stephen King’s famous house in Bangor! Eastern Maine is a special place, and if the American Folk Festival is the reason you visit, you will find many more reasons to return.