Folkmoot Features The Music and Dances of Many Cultures United In One Vibrant Community

Folkmoot is based on gathering for friendly cultural exchanges to deepen understanding and community wealth. Brookside Mountain Mist Inn Bed and Breakfast is right near the Folkmoot Friendship Center here in Waynesville, Western North Carolina. In fact, we are official sponsors of Folkmoot.

Folkmoot Purpose

Folkmoot is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that fosters the vibrancy of many cultures into one community.  Folkmoot programs are based on cultural exchange and designed to build global relationships, foster cultural understanding and develop community prosperity.

Folkmoot Festival

Folkmoot USA is an international folk festival in which dancers and musicians travel to Western North Carolina from around the world for traditional dance performances. Groups are selected to perform from a highly competitive, juried process that cultivates the most authentic and entertaining dancers and musicians.

Folkmoot Summerfest 2022

Friday July 29 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center (Google directions at the bottom)

Showtimes at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday July 30 in Downtown Waynesville

International Day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday July 30 at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds

Showtime at 6 p.m.

Sunday July 31 at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds

Showtime at 2 p.m.

Folkmoot Facts

• Folkmoot USA is held annually during the last two weeks of July. It brings international folk dancers and musicians from around the world to perform throughout Western North Carolina.

 

• Approximately 100,000 people attend Folkmoot performances each year.

 

• Based on a study by Syneva Economics, the Folkmoot Festival attendees create a 9.2 million dollar economic impact in Western North Carolina.  This economic activity supports 110.7 jobs of Western North Carolina residents and generates 1.27 million dollars in tax revenue related to consumer-driven commerce.

 

• Folkmoot USA is a member of CIOFF – International Council of Organization of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art, in partnership with UNESCO. There are approximately 9-member countries who meet each year at the World Congress.

 

• In 2014, Folkmoot was named a Top Ten Festival by USA Today. For 22 years, the Southeast Tourism Society named the Festival, “One of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast” and the Southeast Tourism Society named Folkmoot a “Top 100 Event in America”.

 

• Each year, hundreds of groups apply to perform, but only 8 to 10 are chosen.

 

• Each year, Folkmoot invites new and different performers.

Folkmoot Values

• Folkmoot finds strength in diversity and embraces differences.

 

• Folkmoot recognizes the importance of cultural exchange to create peace, prosperity, and understanding.

 

• Folkmoot is inclusive and does not represent any one political or religious perspective.

 

• Folkmoot honors and celebrates creative expression.

 

• Folkmoot preserves cultural heritage and cultivates opportunities for community education and prosperity.

 

• Folkmoot recognizes that a community’s arts and cultural assets are a strong tool for economic development and an essential element of sustaining and improving quality of life.

Folkmoot Friendship Center

Their year-around Arts & Cultural Center, hosting a long-running international festival, live music, literary events, art spaces, international dinners and more! It is only .3 miles away. Google Maps estimates it is a 6-minute walk from Brookside Mountain Mist Inn Bed and Breakfast here in Waynesville, North Carolina!

CHECK AVAILABILITY AT BROOKSIDE MOUNTAIN MIST INN BED & BREAKFAST