The party has begun: Lowell Folk Festival returns for 37th year - The Lowell Sun
LOWELL — The wait is over as the 37th Lowell Folk Festival has made its triumphant return to the Mill City.
The event kicked off on Friday evening with music from Puerto Rican percussionist Jorge Arce Comparsa and an 11-piece band leading the Parade of Nations from City Hall to Boarding House Park.
As flags from around the world fluttered in the breeze, the parade danced its way down Kirk and French streets, culminating at the Boarding House Park stage. There, Mayor Daniel Rourke extended a warm welcome to the throng of festival attendees, while state Rep. Vanna Howard took the stage to introduce the participating countries.
It may have been the official beginning of the event, but Downtown Lowell was buzzing for the hours leading up to the parade. Festival attendees strategically secured prime spots at Boarding House Park, setting up their lawn chairs and blankets in anticipation of the event.
Among them was Helen and John Bailey, of Littleton. The married couple, originally from Lowell, estimate they have been attending the Lowell Folk Festival since 1990.
What keeps them coming back?
“It’s fun,” Helen said as she ate an empanada Colombiana from the nearby food tents that line French Street.
The couple said they invariably discover unexpected treasures among the performers each year.
“There’s always somebody that is just spectacular,” Helen said.
“It’s something you think you’d never listen to, but you find out you really enjoyed the music,” John added. “It’s like it was hidden to you before.”
READ MORE:
