Festivals are a way to celebrate folklife & traditional arts and learn from the tradition bearers themselves.
NHSCA Traditional Arts Showcase: Blacksmith Jack Page demonstrating at the 2002 Stratham Fair.
Most folklife festivals are intended to be educational and enjoyable. The themes and artists featured at many folklife festivals are identified through field research carried out in local communities. The goal of the research is to identify the background and history of various traditions and authentic tradition bearers who enjoy working with the public.
Because they are educational, many folklife festivals are really outdoor exhibits focused upon the knowledge and skills held within people. Interpretive materials such as photographs, panels with written information and built structures can help set a context or natural environment for the presentations.
New Hampshire sponsored two very large festival presentations in 1999 and 2000, both developed by the Traditional Arts Program of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and supported through private donations of many generous sponsors.
See how New Hampshire presented our living cultural heritage to the nation at the 1999 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
See how this presentation was expanded and recreated at the 2000 Celebrate New Hampshire Festival
The Traditional Arts Program of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts presents showcases of traditional arts at two to three major festivals each summer. Through mini-grants and project grants, the program helps to fund community organizations, farm museums, historic societies, and living history museums present traditional arts at small community festivals throughout the spring, summer and fall.
The late Lydia Mann singing at the 2000 Celebrate NH Festival.
NHSCA Traditional Arts Showcase: Cooper Ron Raiselis demonstrating at the 2003 New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Old House & Barn Expo.
For information on events that include traditional arts displays, demonstrations and performances, check out listings in local newspapers or the arts calendar link from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts' website.
Look for events listed in State of New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Foods publications. Especially their Experience Rural New Hampshire listing of events.
Learn more about regional and national folklife festivals including:
The NH Fairs Association listing of 11 fairs held summer to fall around New Hampshire.
Common Ground Country Fair held every year in Maine.
National Folklife Festival held at a different State Park every three years.
The Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival held in Washington DC every summer.
Photo credits
All: Photographer - Lynn Martin Graton
© 2004 State of New Hampshire, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts | Site Credits
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