The Philadelphia Folk Festival is an annual folk music festival near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania in the vicinity of Philadelphia. It began in 1962, the four-day festival is sponsored by the non-profit Philadelphia Folksong Society. The event hosts contemporary and traditional artists in genres including World/Fusion, Celtic, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Country, Klezmer, and Dance. It is held on the third weekend in August. The Folk Festival is celebrating its 50th year in 2011.
Gene Shay helped found the festival, along with George Britton and others, and has acted as Master of Ceremonies since its inception. Originally held on Wilson Farm in Paoli, Pennsylvania, the event now hosts approximately 12,000 visitors and 5,000 campers at the Old Pool Farm. The event presents 75 hours of music with numerous bands on 6 stages. A special Camp Stage show takes place on Thursday night, hosted by WXPN radio for the nationally-syndicated "Live From the World Cafe."
The camp site is sectioned off into neighboring camp communities consisting of the quieter camping section, the regular (no cars) camping section, and the RV/vehicle camping section. The Dulcimer Grove, located in the corner of the camping site right next to the secondary stage hosts the kid's area which presents crafts, juggling, magic, and music.
Recently the Folk Festival has been plagued with claims of excessive drug use, violence, and poor infrastructure maintenance causing several structures to fail and injure several people. There are several law suits ominously looming over the society as a result. There have been little know improvements made to address these areas of concern.
The Philadelphia Folksong Society has a full-time staff, headed by Executive Director Lisa Landis. The Philadelphia Folk Festival is almost completely volunteer-run and organized.
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