Come gather ‘round people wherever you roam to Old Poole Farm, again.
After a year’s hiatus, the Philadelphia Folk Festival returns Friday through Sunday, courtesy of Philadelphia Folksong Society, with a fresh burst of energy and nostalgia, ready to rock, roll, and revel in the rhythms and transformative power of folk that has enchanted the community with tradition for six decades.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival takes place at 1323 Salford Station Road on Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville in Upper Salford Township. Use “Harleysville” in the GPS.
Camping is allowed at the event. Learn more here. No pets or ground fires allowed.
This year’s comeback is anchored by a special guest, one whose act will stir the soul and strum heartstrings of music lovers across the region – North Wales Borough’s own John Oates. Oates’ legendary partnership with Pottstown’s Darryl Hall created smooth harmonies and chart-topping hits that are now the soundtrack for countless lives.
Oates will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday on the Martin Stage. RUNA closes out Saturday night with a 10:45 p.m. performance.
Gangstagrass also joins Oates on the bill this coming weekend, playing the main Martin Stage Friday night at 11:15 to midnight.
Check out all stage schedules here.
All children four and under are free.
A Friday day pass is $100, and $55 for youth 12 to 17, and $10 for children five to 11. A Saturday day pass, youth pass for 12 to 17, and passes for five to 11 are $120, $60, and $10, respectively. A Sunday day pass is $105 for adults, $55 for youth 12-17, and $10 for youth five to 11.
An All Festival ticket is $250 for the weekend for adults, $120.50 for youth 12 to 17, and $5 for youth five to 11. Camping is $300 for the weekend, and $148 for youth 12 to 17, and $15 for youth five to 11. VIP Tent camping is $535 and VIP RV camping is $590. There are special prices for RVs larger than 21 feet in length.
The festival sells a family four-pack for all festival and camping at $775, and an all festival family four pack without camping for $650.
Get all ticket pricing and information here.
The event features seven stages: Camp Stage, Craft Stage, Culture Tent, Dulcimer Grove, Lobby Stage, Tank Stage, and the Martin Stage.
The Festival this year has gone more digital than ever before. An app for your phone called “Upped Events” can be downloaded for Android and iPhone, which will provide the full festival schedule, a map, all food and craft vendors and more.
Volunteers for the weekend event are welcome to sign up by getting a volunteer ticket. There are numerous volunteer committees that can use some help for the fest.
Food vendors include Zuzu Confections (frozen fruit hand-dipped in chocolate and rolled in toppings. Vegan and dairy-free available); Brood Coffee Truck; Humpty’s Dumplings (cheesesteak, buffalo chicken, dessert dumplings); Thai Town at Chaiyo Grill; Virginia Foods (Mediterranean); and Upper Salford Fire Co., which will be selling a classic American fare menu, with all proceeds going to the volunteer fire company.
Frozen Island frozen treats, Hot Box Catering, and Skippack Lions Club will serve food to the campground side.
Here is a list of performers scheduled for the event:
A Day Without Love * Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt * Adam Ezra Group * AJ Lee & Blue Summit * Alexis P. Suter Band * Alice Howe & Freebo * ANARKHIPOV * Angelique Francis * Charlie Rutan (Bagpiper) * BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet * Bethlehem and Sad Patrick * Brendan & Ryan * Calvin Arsenia * Cassie & Maggie * Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer ‘s Old Time Coalition with Becky Hill & Rachel Eddy * FROM CHINA TO APPALACHIA with Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer & Chao Tian * Christine Havrilla * Craig Bickhardt with Aislinn Bickhardt, Michael G Ronstadt & Tom Hampton * Crys Matthews * CubiZm * Dave Gunning * Dom Flemons * Dylan Zangwill * Edge Hill Rounders * Ellis Paul * Gangstagrass * Gathering Time * Geneviève Racette * Give & Take Jugglers * Great Groove Band J.P. Cormier * Jack Murray * Jackson Pines * Jefferson Berry & the UAC * Jersey Corn Pickers * Jess Klein * John Flynn * John Gallager JR * John Oates * Jon Dichter * Jonathan Byrd * Kicking Down Doors * Last Chance * Lenny Kaye * Mara Levine with Gathering Time * Mary Battiata * Matt Pless * Meghan Cary * MIKE MILLER Sings Again with Rich Myers, Scotty Rovner and Friends * Miss Emily * Mr. David C. Perry * Ms Rachel * Nigel Wearne * Persistent Resistors * Pete Muller & Kindred Souls * Gina Leigh * Roland Kushner * Rolly Brown * Roy Book Binder * RUNA * The Secret Sisters * Shanna in a Dress * SOUND HEALING with Giselle Gorgi * Stephen Wade * Sug Daniels * The Faux Paws * The Honey Badgers * The Hoppin Boxcars * Theo Kandel * Tony Trischka’s EARLJAM – A Tribute to Earl Scruggs * Turtle Ridge * Two of a Kind * Windborne * YOGA with Gina Molinari * Rounds Singing with Gathering Time *
