A dance troupe from Italy, Mexico, and Sweden arrive in Murfreesboro on Saturday, June 10, 2018, for the 36th year of sharing various cultures with Middle Tennesseeans at the International Folkfest.
It was started in 1982 by Steve Cates and the Cripple Creek Cloggers, who act as ambassadors for this community and travel to world destinations and perform the Appalachian style of dance and music.
Performances are schedule at numerous venues across the mid-state featuring these 75 musicians, dancers and administrative personnel. Each year, these culturally diverse dance and music groups perform for local schools, senior citizen homes and youth groups, encouraging world peace and understanding through music and dance.
The visiting groups from Italy, Mexico and Sweden will be staying in dorms at Middle Tennessee State University.
Various faith groups, schools, civic groups and individuals provide meals each day as the troupes perform for retirement homes, boys and girls clubs, veterans, libraries, Murfreesboro City Schools, MTSU's Governor's School for the Arts, senior citizens, etc.
Public Events
| Wednesday, June 13, 2018 10:00AM FREE to the public |
Linebaugh Public Library |
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Thursday, June 14, 2018 |
Smyrna Public Library 400 Enon Springs Road West Smyrna, TN 37167 |
| Friday, June 15, 2018 7:00PM $10 per person |
Winfree Bryant Middle School 1213 Leeville Pike Lebanon, TN 37087 |
| Saturday, June 16, 2018 8:30AM-12:30PM FREE to the public |
Rutherford County Courthouse East side of Square Murfreesboro, TN |
| Saturday, June 17, 2018 6:00PM Dinner: Phone 931-389-0223 |
Bell Buckle Banquet Hall 27 Railroad Square Bell Buckle, TN 37020 |
Other Activities
Official greetings will be given at a Welcome Party on Monday night (6/11/2018), sponsored by the Breakfast Rotary, Wilson Bank of Rutherford County and various individuals, by Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors' Bureau. Murfreesboro Muslim Youth will present gift bags to all visitors and representatives from the various embassies of the countries present have been invited to attend.
Group Transportation
The Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County work with the Folkfest Planning Committee to help provide buses and drivers for the groups. Each group has a guide, a Folkfest volunteer, who will be with them all during their stay.
Tradition Continues
A popular tradition from earlier Folkfest's is for families, individuals and neighborhoods to host and entertain one of the group at a dinner meal. This provides an excellent opportunity for the locals to interact and have fun with a group from Italy, Mexico, and Sweden.
To become a part of the International Folkfest Planning Committee or Cripple Creek Cloggers, contact Steve Cates, Director, at appdancer@aol.com.
Visit the International Folkfest website: http://www.mboro-international-folkfest.org