Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo is the largest folk festival in the state, taking place Saturday September 8 at Edgerton Park, in New Haven CT.
by Michelle Fortier
This is a one day festival you won’t want to miss! From great musical events to vendors, educators, and exhibitors there’s something for everyone, of all ages.
The event is free, but donations are graciously accepted.
Wander through beautiful Edgerton Park and experience 75 booths featuring exhibitors, educators and vendors, many hosting workshops and activities for kids and adults alike. Don’t forget to sample scrumptious foods from the many local vendors.
“Based in New Haven, CT Folk is a non-profit organization dedicated to traditional and contemporary roots music and to caring for the earth. CT Folk promotes local and international artists and supports the development of new music. CT Folk is the presenter of the annual Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo, the largest folk festival in the state, as well as the First Fridays concert series that runs October through May.”
Give your ears a treat throughout the day, and take a listen to the outstanding line-up of entertainment. The festival and music begins at 11am with Beth Patella Band, followed by the Songwriter Competition at 11:30 am. Five finalists, including Trespass Music’s Loretta Hagen will vie for a shot at winning and earning a spot opening the main stage music at 6pm. The 5 finalists are
Fred Arcoleo, Loretta Hagen, Hannah & Maggie, Brian Kalinec, Jake Klar.
Grab your favorite fest munchies and listen to the tunes in the CT Artists’ Showcase spotlighting Shawn Taylor, Kate Callahan, Amanda Kaletsky, Whatever, John Ciambrello, Anne Marie Menta Band, Glenn Roth and Kristen Graves from 12:30-3:30, and at 3:30 The Professors of Bluegrass return.
Last year’s winners of the Songwriter Competition The Levins take the stage at 4:00pm, and the Grassy Hill Song Circle begins at 4:30pm featuring artists in the round and jamming when the moment strikes. Trespass Music’s Danielle Miraglia, along with Kevin Neidig, Putnam Smith will have you movin’, and groovin’ .
The winner of the Songwriter Competition will perform their winning songs, opening the night’s main stage performances beginning at 6:00pm followed by The Sea, The Sea, a duo consisting of Mira Stanley and Chuck E. Costa at 6:15pm. Chuck is the festival’s CT State Troubador, and has done wonderful work going into schools and songwriting with children.
Follow that up with local faves the StringFingers at 7:00pm, the bombastic group Pesky J. Nixon at 8:00pm, and the festival finale at 9pm featuring the very talented and funny, Cheryl Wheeler.
Great music, education and fun for all at the Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo, Sat. Sept. 8. at Edgerton Park. Get there, you’ll be glad you did!
For more information please visit the CT Folk website, by clicking HERE or by visiting http://www.ctfolk.com/