What a Folking Festival!!!
Despite its modest size, the 12th Annual North Country Folk Festival with its blend of bugs, music and captivating attractions was a success. Drawing crowds from the campus and the local community, the festival earned the right to be called a must-attend event.
On April 26, the Greenhouse hosted their Folk Fest on the Java Quad outside of the Sullivan Student Center. Mark Fitzgerald, a seasoned production expert, played a pivotal role in the festival’s success. “I’ve been doing production for Folk Fest for about 12 years now,” said Fitzgerald. He has witnessed the event’s growth and evolution, starting from just a tent to its current status as a thriving music festival. St.Lawrence University has one of the longest-running folk festivals, while many other schools have struggled to keep the ball rolling. “I’ve just been watching them disappear, and all of a sudden, here’s one emerging and growing,” says Fitzgerald. This year, the fest has seen some of its biggest numbers, bringing out around 500 to 700 people.
“It seeks to engage the community by bringing in local vendors and stimulating local businesses,” says Greenhouse secretary Eva Drummond ’24. The event serves as a unification between SLU and the Canton community, allowing the Greenhouse to raise awareness about local food systems and sustainability. With this goal in mind, preparations for the event start as early as January. “Greenhouse organizes the entire thing… It’s just the 11 of us, full-time students from start to end planning and executing every aspect,” says Drummond. From securing artists to coordinating student and local vendors and promoting the event both on campus and in Canton, Greenhouse members plan and arrange every component of the festival.
Nola Muscatello ’24, a student vendor and performer at Folk Fest, sheds light on her experiences. “I had a great time tabling, I really liked being able to share my art with people and see people come up and ask questions about it,” admits Muscatello. For her, Folk Fest stands in stark contrast to other campus events, particularly Springfest. “At Springfest, it feels very controlled: You have to go get your tickets; if you’re 21 [years old], get your wristband; and once you get there, you can’t really leave,” said Muscatello. She appreciates the calming scene Folk Fest brings.
Similarly, The Boyden Brook Band, making their debut appearance at the event, shared their excitement for the energetic atmosphere created by the audience. “People were enthusiastic. We really enjoyed that; we appreciated that a lot,” said the band’s guitarist Taylor Huntley. The Boyden Brock Band originated in the Canton area, and they play a fusion of folk and rock. Their performance at Folk Fest showcased their talent and left a memorable impression.
Folk Fest brought people together with music, fun and a focus on local life. Next year’s festival plans promise to be just as exciting as this year.