51st Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Unfolds August 17-19, 2012

Upper Salford Township (near Schwenksville), PA

TICKETS ON SALE NOW WITH EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT THROUGH JUNE 5!!

PHILADELPHIA, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's hard to imagine the summer without the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL.  This beloved event is the longest continuously-running outdoor musical festival of its kind in North America and will celebrate its 51st Anniversary on August 17-19 at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near Schwenksville, PA.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120515/DC07241)

Among the top attractions at this year's PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL celebration will be:

Little Feat – John Hiatt and the Combo – Steve Earle and The Dukes
Lucinda Williams – Mary Chapin Carpenter – Wanda Jackson
The Secret Sisters – City & Colour – Voices of the Wetlands
The Holmes Brothers – Strand of Oaks – The Wooden Sky – Mary Gauthier – Mike Cross
Comas – Paul Thorn – Tracy Grammer – Red Clay Ramblers – Debo Band – Arborea
Chris Bathgate – Brother Sun (featuring Pat Wictor, Joe Jencks and Greg Greenway) 
Lori McKenna – Mark Erelli – Roosevelt Dime – Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three 
The Gypsy Hombres – Chris Kasper – Griz – Spuyten Duyvil – Zach Stock – The Great Groove Band
and more to be announced at a later date!

"We've been calling this the First Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, presenting 50 years of Folk," said Lisa Schwartz, Marketing Chair and President of presenting organization, the Philadelphia Folksong Society.  "We felt that last year's 50th celebration was so special, we didn't want to even try to top it. Point Entertainment has done a stellar job putting together our lineup," continued Schwartz.  "There really is something for everyone this year!" "And, collaboration will once again be the key," said Artistic Director, Richard Kardon. "This lineup offers incredible opportunities." 

"Saturday is so packed full of amazing acts that we've decided to do away with the Afternoon Concert and roll straight through," said Artistic Director, Jesse Lundy.  There will be continuous musical performances from 11:00 a.m. through midnight, with workshops, showcases and Main Stage events."

The straight-through concept allows the ticketing to be streamlined, so this year, there will be one ticket for each day, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, as well as the All-Festival ticket, providing admission for all three days at a discounted price.  Aside from deleting the Afternoon Concert, other changes include booking significantly less acts that in previous years, giving the artists more stage time and more room for the potential for collaboration.

Returning for his 51st consecutive year as host is WXPN-FM DJ Gene Shay who has been called the "Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music."  Shay, who helped put together the very first PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL, has been the same golden voice on the radio, playing folk artists every Sunday night, for most of our lives. 

The PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is a perfect family event, too. You will find an unrivaled selection of attractions for the kids, especially in Dulcimer Grove, the shady area between the Crafts Stage and the Camp Stage, where puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, hands-on crafts and of course, kid-oriented musicians make it a haven for folk fans 12 and under.  Again this year, there will be a concentrated effort to have continuous programming, including interactive musical events for children and families from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Children up to 11 years of age are admitted free of charge to the concert area. Older kids, 12 to 16, will again be eligible for the special "youth ticket," allowing them into the grounds for half the regular gate price, when accompanied by an adult.

Individual daily tickets start at $52.00, including the 20% Early Bird Discount, or attend all three days for $116.00; add tent camping and you get an additional concert on Thursday night for $156.00 total!  Imagine settling into our 40-acre living room and becoming a part of the musical landscape. The campground at the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is considered the ultimate Folk Festival experience.

Tickets for the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.folkfest.org.

For complete information about the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL and tickets, visit the website at www.folkfest.org

or call the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL office at 800-556-FOLK.

SOURCE Philadelphia Folksong Society