An all-day festival celebrating regional music and dance traditions. The event is the second oldest folk festival in Western North Carolina and was named in honor of co-founder Bascom Lamar Lunsford, a musician and folklorist who dedicated his life to collecting and promoting the music of the Southern Appalachians. Through his work he became known as the “Minstrel of the Appalachians.” The festival, which is now in its 51st year, brings out the region’s finest musicians and dancers. Numerous performances, open jams, workshops, a ballad swap, and a community dance will occur throughout the day and early evening. Join us in honoring the rich cultural traditions of the Southern Appalachians!
10:00-5:00: Concert on the Upper Quad
11.30: Presentation of the Lunsford Award
1.00-2.00: Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar Workshops (pre-registration required)
1:30-3:30: Ballad Swap, Location TBA
2.30-3.45: Open Jam
5:30-7:30: Community Dance, Chambers Gym
There is no evening concert this year, but please join us at the Community Dance!
Stay tuned for more details! Admission to everything except for the workshops is free AND the festival takes place at the same time as the downtown Mars Hill Heritage Festival, making for lots of fun! For parking and shuttle information, please visit: http://www.mhu.edu/lunsfordfestival AND https://madisonheritage.com/
The Ramsey Center is a proud site on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.
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