Falcon Ridge Folk Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falcon Ridge Folk Festival |
|
|---|---|
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Main Stage 2004
|
|
| Genre | Folk, Country, Blues, Folk rock |
| Dates | First full weekend in August |
| Location(s) |  Hillsdale, New York |
| Years active | 1988-1990 1992-present |
| Website | http://www.falconridgefolk.com |
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is a super fun yearly event in Hillsdale, New York. It's a big party celebrating folk music and dance! People from all over America come to enjoy the music and learn new dance moves.
Contents
History of the Festival
The very first Falcon Ridge Folk Festival happened in 1988. It was a two-day event held at a ski slope. In 1991, the festival moved to Long Hill Farm in Hillsdale, New York. It stayed there until 2005.
Since 2005, the festival has been held at Dodds Farm, which is also in Hillsdale. This new location is about 7 miles from the old one.
When and Where the Festival Happens
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival takes place every year during the first full weekend of August. It usually runs from Friday to Sunday. You can even camp right at the festival grounds if you have a special camping ticket!
Lots of people come to the festival. In past years, as many as 15,000 people have visited over the long weekend. It's a really popular event!
Music and Fun at Falcon Ridge
The festival features many different kinds of music. You'll hear classic folk artists and new bands that are just starting out. While "Folk-Pop" is a main style, you might also hear bluegrass or even polka music!
Some famous artists who have played at the festival include Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, and Dar Williams.
Festival Stages
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival has several stages where artists perform:
The Main Stage
This is where the biggest acts play. On Friday nights, artists often do a "songwriter swap." This means they take turns playing their songs. On Friday afternoons, many new artists get to show off their music. The Main Stage is the only outdoor stage that has music after dark.
The Workshop Stage
This stage is for smaller, usually acoustic performances. Artists often play "in the round," which means they sit in a circle and take turns performing. These shows are often based around different themes.
The Family Stage
This stage is perfect for kids and families! You can enjoy musical performances, puppet shows, and even clowns or mimes. It's a great place for family-friendly fun during the day.
The Dance Tent
If you love to dance, the Dance Tent is the place to be! It stays open until 2:00 AM. You can learn and try out many different dance styles. These include Contra Dancing, Swing Dancing, Square Dancing, and Zydeco Dancing.
Sometimes, a special person called a dance caller helps lead the dances. They tell everyone what moves to do!
Evening Fun
Even after the official shows end, the music keeps going! Many people gather around campfires in the camping areas. There are also unofficial performance tents where more music happens. It's a great way to enjoy music all night long!
