The word that came out of every one’s mouth to describe the Philadelphia Folk Festival was community. The second word was family. I found that it was less about the music, and more about the people, and I couldn’t agree more. My name is Lisa Schaffer, and I have been attending the Philadelphia Folk Fest for 26 years. I have been one of the official photographers for the fest for 19 years, and this year I was covering the fest for WXPN.
The Philly Folk Fest is not just about the music you love, or music you are about to discover, it’s about the friendships that form from a person’s very first Folk Fest, whether that be 20+ years ago, or if this was their very first one. I talked to a few people in the campground and by the Martin Guitar main stage area, and asked them what Folk Fest meant to them.
Alex has been attending Folk Fest since around 1999 or 2000. He always was a paid ticket holder, except in 2019 when he performed with his band Stella Ruze. He keeps coming back because he attends the festival with his growing family. It’s an opportunity for his entire family to get together and do something that has become a tradition.
Mason was in Stella Ruze at the time they played the festival in 2019 has been coming since 2008. Alex brought him that year, and he never stopped coming. He also played in 2016 with Matt Duke. Every time he comes to Folk Fest, he is connecting with his artistry. Community, collaboration, and friendships keep him coming back.
Max, who owns the record store Brewerytown Beats, was celebrating his birthday weekend at Folk Fest. This was his very first Folk Fest, and he was attending with his wife and children. He decided to come this year because he knew the fest was starting back up and he wanted to support and make sure it sticks around. Max is a big supporter of all things Philly, so it was not a surprise to run into him. What was a surprise was how he was reminded that Fest was going on and needed a little extra help: he was having dinner in Lexington, Kentucky about three weeks ago, and the waiter saw his Philly-themed shirt and asked if he was from Philly. The waiter told him that his sister is “starting the Philly Folk Fest back up again.” His sister turned out to be artistic director Kimberly Sinclair – what a funny coincidence. At that point he knew he needed to get his tickets.
John has been to 25-30 Folk Festivals. John is on Groundz, which builds the foundation of the fest, and comes to the festival site every weekend starting in early summer. He keeps coming back for his love of the festival and the people he volunteers with, hoping that more people come back next year when they see that Fest has continued after many challenges.
Gia has been coming to Folk Fest since she was an infant. Her mom has been volunteering at the festival and bringing Gia with her on her shifts. She started volunteering herself at age 16, which is the starting age for Volunteers. Now at 24, she not only works her shifts, but helps out at her campsite with anything they need. Folk Fest is about helping, family, community, spreading good energy, and seeing friends made throughout the years while volunteering.
Joanna has been coming to Folk Fest almost her entire life. Her mother started coming at the age of 15, as a folk dancer with a dance troop. She never stopped coming, and when Joanna was born, she started bringing her. Joanna was a member of the very first Groove Band, which is a band made up of children learning instruments and how to perform. They practice a handful of songs every morning of the festival, and get to play them on the main stage at the start of the Sunday evening concert. She is now a music teacher in the Groove Band and a musician during Contra Dancing which takes place in the lobby dance tent. What keeps her coming back is the shared understanding of the little wonders of the festival and the community that’s been built by generations of hard work, volunteering, and performing.
Charlie has been going to Folk Fest since the 20-teens. This was his first year as the official piper of the festival. This means he opens the night by blowing his bagpipes to start the evening concerts. He has known the previous pipers, but they have all since retired, which left the slot open for him to take over. He has played his bagpipes throughout the years at the festival, but with bands on the smaller stages. He also played his bagpipes on Saturday morning during a wedding at the fest. Who knew there was such high demand for a bagpiper at the Philly Folk Fest? #doubleduty
While walking by heavy camping (RVs and car camping), I saw Brynn. She was with her 3 month old baby and I had to stop and talk to her. What makes someone bring a 3 month old to a music festival? Turns out Brynn started coming to the Folk Fest when she was 3 months old! She was camping with her mom, husband, her 2 other children, and a campsite full of other family members. It takes a village. She knew she was coming no matter what because she had helpers.
Sug Daniels has attended two Philly Folk Fests, and has performed at both. She has camped at both, and though she’s not big on camping, she loves the community and feels safe in the campground. Daniels describes the camps as little villages with character, where cool and interesting things happen. She plans to continue to come back and volunteer, fostering community. She compares community to family and people to be the best version of yourself around.
