Steve Earle, Great Big Sea, Kathy Mattea and Al Stewart are among the more than 50 acts slated to perform during the 47th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 15-17, at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.

Featuring three days of traditional and contemporary music (including folk, blues, alt-country, bluegrass, indie folk-rock, world and roots), dance, crafts, an array of children’s activities, and a unique late-night scene (with jamming into the wee morning hours in the 40-acre campgrounds), the Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest continuously running U.S. festival of its kind.

Eager to retain its vitality, continue to attract crowds and reach out to younger people, the festival has brought in Point Entertainment’s Rich Kardon and Jesse Lundy to shake things up a bit. 

“Our core audience has continued to age,” says Gene Shay, WXPN-FM DJ and longtime host of the festival.  While acknowledging that the festival has a tradition to uphold, he believes it also needs to attract younger people to survive and continue to thrive.  Including up-and-coming artists in the lineup appears designed, in part, to broaden its appeal.  

Among the newcomers on the bill are Anthony da Costa (a prolific 17 year-old singer-songwriter, 2007 Kerrville New Folk Winner and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival audience favorite among emerging artists), Ellis (a captivating 30-something singer-songwriter with a bubbly personality and an infectious laugh), The Felice Brothers (gritty and soulful alt-country and folk-rockers), Red Molly (a rootsy female Americana trio that mesmerizes audiences with its three-part harmonies and solid musicianship), Amy Speace (signed to Judy Collins’ Wildflower label and one of the best new contemporary singer-songwriters on the scene today) and The Strangelings (a folk jam band comprised of Pete & Maura Kennedy, Chris Thompson, Rebecca Hall, Ken Anderson and Eric Lee, with Philly’s own Cheryl Prashker keeping the beat).

Of course, there will be plenty of fine music of interest to more traditional folk fans as well – including Cajun music’s Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, longtime festival favorites Judy Collins, Janis Ian and Tom Paxton, and gifted Appalachian dulcimer players and songwriters David Massengill and Jean Ritchie, among others.

Philadelphia area artists set to perform during the festival include Ben Arnold, Hoots & Hellmouth, Ursula Rucker, and LisaBeth Weber & Maggie Marshall.

For more information about the festival and to order tickets, visit www.folkfest.org or call the Philadelphia Folk Festival at 800-556-FOLK.