New Bedford Folk Festival Set for July 5-6, 2014

The New Bedford Folk Festival, formerly known as the Greater New Bedford Summerfest, is one of the Northeast’s most pleasant, refined and enjoyable music festivals. Slated for July 5-6, 2014 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and now in its 19th year, the family-oriented festival takes over the cobblestoned streets of this historic New England port city –- which is part of the Whaling National Historic Park. Visitors will soak in the area’s rich maritime history as they stroll its streets while listening to world-class contemporary and traditional acoustic performers under tents set up along them and in the air-conditioned comfort of the fabulous New Bedford Whaling Museum’s auditorium and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater — where the popular Celtic Extravaganza closes out the festival on Sunday night.

As in years past, this year’s schedule includes a wealth of talented performers, many of them performing in song-swap style workshops with folks whom they may have never even met, making for unique musical pairings. It also poses a dilemma of choices that will prompt attendees to consider running from one stage to another nearby one to catch certain artists.

There will be continuous music from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on seven sound stages, ranging from intimate ones with seating for 100 or less to much larger ones – including the 1200-seat Zeiterion that was added to the mix for the first time last year. Among the more than 70 featured performers are Beaucoup Blue, Craig Bickhardt, Benoit Bourque, Kate Campbell, Ronny Cox, Joe Crookston, Cliff Eberhardt, Jonathan Edwards, Marina Evans, Gail Finnie Rundlett, Bob Franke, Vance Gilbert, John Gorka, Bill Harley, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Anne Hills, Michael Johnson, The Kennedys, Mike Laureanno, Christine Lavin and Don White, Zoe Lewis, Grace Morrison, The Murphy Beds, Chris Pahud, Poor Old Shine, Hayley Reardon, RUNA, Chris Smither, Devon Sproule, Spuyten Duyvil, Art Tebbets and Jeff Warner. A number of local artists will play the Southcoast Stage.

In addition to the music, some 90-artisans and arts and crafts vendors will set up booths along the streets, as well as inside the Whaling Museum.

Admission to the festival is quite affordable at $25 for the weekend or $20 for one-day. Children under 12 will be admitted free with an adult.

While in New Bedford, you also can enjoy fresh seafood and sample tasty cuisine at one of the whaling city’s many Portuguese restaurants. Parking is free at the municipal garage.

For more information and to see complete schedules for the weekend, visit www.newbedfordfolkfestivalcom.