Editor’s Note: This event, originally scheduled for Sept. 28, has been postponed due to inclement weather. Visit northgeorgiafolkfestival.org for updates.
The 39th annual North Georgia Folk Festival, celebrating a broad cross-section of folk culture, will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 at Sandy Creek Park from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Festivities include music, art, vendors, food and family activities.
The event is produced by volunteers from the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society (AFMDS), a local nonprofit, in partnership with Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services. AFMDS is dedicated to celebrating, sharing and sustaining traditional arts and music, hosting monthly contra dances throughout the year in addition to the festival.
“What truly sets this festival apart is the way it allows us to reconnect with our roots. It’s not just about performing and entertaining; it’s about honoring the deep history and culture that have shaped us all as artists. Traditional folk music carries the spirit of generations, and the NGFF doesn’t just preserve that heritage—it celebrates it,” says Matt Williams of the family band Pickled Holler, making its debut as a NGFF musical performer this year.
Performers on the main stage include Pam Blanchard and the Sunny Side Up Band (12 p.m.), Side Pieces (1 p.m.), Tonalli Danza Folklórica Mexicana (2 p.m.), Kids on the Mountain (3 p.m.), Solstice Sisters (4 p.m.), Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind (5 p.m.), Pickled Holler (6 p.m.), Pretty Little Goat (7 p.m.) and Borderhop Trio (8 p.m.). The smaller fire circle stage will feature Rebecca Sunshine (2:30 p.m.), Julia Barfield (3:30 p.m.) and storyteller Pat Shields (4:30 p.m.). In the woods there will be a jam tent for anyone who wants to do “some jamming of acoustic old time music,” says the NGFF website.
Americana musician Julia Barfield is performing and attending the festival for the first time this year, explaining that she’s only lived in Athens for a year and a half and has been performing at shows for less time than that.
“This scene is seriously so special, and I have been met with so much support,” says Barfield. “I still feel like a baby, and I’m just taking it all in and trying to learn from the folks that have been out here doing it for a long time. I guess in terms of the music itself, there are lots of people who have inspired me to be more intentional in my songwriting and to not be afraid of just doing my own thing without worrying whether or not people will like it. That’s a big one for me.”
The high lonesome Border Hop Trio is performing at the festival for the first time in 12 years, and member Hal Misseri says of his experience, “You can go to lots of festivals and just hear bluegrass. This festival goes out of its way to ensure a wide variety of folk music is represented. You will hear a songwriter followed by an old-time banjo and fiddle duo, followed by a gospel group, then a bluegrass act. It’s this variety of folk styles that sets it apart from other festivals in my opinion.”
The last time that the band performed, Misseri shares that an old-time buck dancer was in the crowd. He threw down a quarter-sheet of plywood and started dancing on the lawn. “My recollection is that we played harder just to keep that guy’s feet going. I hope he’s there this year, too,” says Misseri.
Enthusiastic crowds draw for more than the music. There are always a large variety of food and artist vendors in attendance. This year art and craft demonstrations will be presented by Daniel Bollinger, Tex Crawford and Beth Kelley Zorbanos with art car artists John Mollica, Crispy Printz and Steve Sweetser joining. Art vendors will begin packing up at 6 p.m., with music continuing until 9 p.m.
The Sandy Creek Nature Center and Bear Hollow Zoo will host children’s activities, in addition to a supervised arts and crafts tent from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. There will also be a dinosaur playground.
NGFF strives to be a welcoming place for everyone under the folk umbrella, and the inclusion of acts like Tonalli Danza Folklórica Mexicana helps to expand representation outside of the white male-centric view of folk.
“I’m really passionate about keeping folk music alive, and I feel like the interest and excitement—especially for the songwriter-y stuff—just sometimes isn’t there among people my age,” says Barfield. “That’s sort of a mission of mine, I guess. Making folk relevant to everyone, of course, but especially the younger crowds. I don’t know how good of a job I’m doing, but that’s the dream. I just think we need the energy of more young people appreciating good folk music if we want to keep it alive and well. It’s the good stuff!”
For more info, visit northgeorgiafolkfestival.org.
WHO: North Georgia Folk Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
WHERE: Sandy Creek Park
HOW MUCH: $15 (adults), $8 (students), FREE! (12 & under)
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