Two years ago today marked the last in-person Folk festival that hosted up to 160,000 people, according to Mayor Jake Day. The festival is back in Salisbury, for free, for the Salisbury community members and travelers to experience.
The folk festival is in town from September 10 to the 12, for anyone to take part in. This folk festival has the greatest economic impact in Salisbury, previous years reaching up to 80 million dollars in revenue in a weekend, according to Salisbury Mayor Jake Day.
The history of the Salisbury Folk Festival starts back in 2012 after Jake Day announced his 2012 candidacy for city counsel. He was later to become president of the city council and mayor of Salisbury.
Mayor Jake Day was approached by the director of the Ward Museum, where she insisted on having Salisbury host the national folk festival. In 2017, Mayor Jake Day put Salisbury in for a bid for the 2018 Folk Festival. Salisbury competed against 34 city finalists and won, making 2018 the first Salisbury Folk Festival.
Mayor Jake Day has ensured that the festival will be a fun but safe event for people to attend, making sure every performer has been tested for COVID-19 prior to the event. Strict measures to ensure the public's safety even resulted in a performer being denied entry following a positive COVID-19 test, according to Mayor Jake Day.
The mayor has stated that he is very excited to hear the Seven Blues music award winner Shemekia Copeland perform, as well as the Army Blue band.
“I truly am excited for, on September 11, the 20 anniversary to hear the US Army Blues band play in my city, especially as an army veteran and a guy who just got home from overseas.”
Several Salisbury University students, who are unfamiliar to the Salisbury area, heard about the event through their student email.
Nick Levchenko is a sophomore majoring in physical education. After hearing about the festival, he and a few friends decided to attend.
“We heard about it tonight, it sounded interesting, and I love folk music so why not,” Nick said. “It’s a beautiful night and I have not listened to live music too much, which is something I have always wanted to do more often.”
Elizabeth Snyder is a sophomore, majoring in history, who attended the festival with some friends.
“Heard about the folk festival through my student email, and I love food and really hope they have kettle corn.”
Connor Morningred is a junior at SU and is majoring in biology. He volunteered at the event for the bands to have their music recorded for others to hear who could not attend.
“Came to help the performers log the music so it could be archived for people later down the road, who are interested in this music, can enjoy it like we get to today,” Connor said. “Not only am I excited to hear the gospel music, but I also get to help log their music for others to hear.”
By JACK FIECHTNER
Gull Life Editor
Featured photos by Jack Fiechtner
Comments