Come celebrate the diverse culture, food, music and arts - everything that makes Florida unique! The 71st Annual Florida Folk Festival, happening along the banks of the historic Suwannee River at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs Florida.  The festival will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 26 – 28. Gates open at 8 a.m., Stages open at 10 a.m., and opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26th.

Named a “Top 20 Event” in the Southeast, this festival has activities for everyone. In addition to a full schedule of performances, visitors may also participate in jam sessions, take workshops, enjoy local eats, see educational exhibits, visit with various vendors, take a dance lesson, and hear stories from all over the state.

Folk artists have come together for this event since 1953. There will be more than 300 performances by Florida’s greatest artists, including national recording artists, songwriters, and musicians of folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean, and zydeco music. This year’s lineup includes John McEuen & the Circle Band, Jim Stafford, Billy Dean, Ben Prestage, The Lee Boys, Lili Forbes & the Funky ‘Taters, The Lubben Brothers, Remedy Tree, Grant Peeples, Shannon Smith, Allen Shadd, Jeanie Fitchen, Del Suggs, Grant Livingston, The Bullard Brothers & Friends, The Sacred Steel Summit and many more!

The Department of State’s Folklife Area will be celebrating the Elements and this year’s element will be fire. Visit the Folklife Stage to experience foodways, demonstrations, traditions, superstitions and weather lore.

Advance tickets for the Florida Folk Festival are $35.00 per day or $70.00 for the weekend for adults and $40.00 per day or $80.00 for the weekend at the gate. Children under six years of age are admitted free of charge. Ticket prices for children between the ages of six and 16 for the entire weekend $5.00.

Camping is not offered on the festival grounds but do not worry there are plenty of places to camp in the area. Camping and lodging are also available at Suwannee River State Park, O’Leno State Park, Ocean Pond, Jennings K.O.A. and Spirit of the Suwannee to name a few. For a listing of local public and private campgrounds, cabins and motels in Hamilton County, nearby Columbia County, and Suwannee County visit LakeCityFL.com

The Florida Folk Festival is a rain or shine event.

Pets are not allowed at the Florida Folk Festival.

Personal golf carts are not allowed at the Florida Folk Festival.

For more information, please call 1-877-6FL-FOLK (1-877-635-3655) or visit www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster or www.FloridaFolkFestival.com.