North Carolina State International Festival

Folkmoot USA

Adopted in 2003

North Carolina already has three official state festivals - the Hertford County Watermelon Festival, the Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival and Folkmoot USA in Waynesville as the official international festival. Hertford County's festival is the state's official northeastern watermelon festival while the Fair Bluff event is the state's official southeastern watermelon festival.

In 2003, the General Assembly designated Folkmoot USA as the official State International Festival (Session Laws, 2003, c. 315).

North Carolina State International Festival: Folkmoot USA

Folkmoot USA, North Carolina's Official International Festival, is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance.

Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, parades and workshops by more than 350 performers from a dozen or so countries.

Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and beautiful music. During its 22-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at Folkmoot USA.

This year's festival is set for July 18 to 31. Likely attendees include Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Togo, Turkey and Spain (Basque Country).

Friends of Folkmoot USA are very important and are the people who support this international festival with their energy, time and finances. You can be a Friend, too. Friends making any contribution will receive the newsletter.

Special Friends will be invited to a Gala Prevue performance and reception that will provide an opportunity to meet and share in fellowship with all the international performers. Light refreshments will be served. Depending upon the level of contribution, Special Friends will receive the following:

Patron ($100-$174) - 2 reserved seat tickets
Donor ($175-$274) - 4 reserved seat tickets
Advocate ($275-$499) - 6 reserved seat tickets
Benefactor ($500-$999) - 10 reserved seat tickets
Ambassador ($1,000 up)- 10 reserved seat tickets and special recognition at the Gala Prevue

To assure a place in the Gala Prevue, send your money early. Reserved seat tickets for this special program will be mailed to the address you provide. Only a limited number of persons can be accommodated. Reserve seat tickets are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to the size of the contribution. Special Friends will also have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to any/all performances.

Folkmoot USA is a non-profit organization.

North Carolina Law

The law designating Folkmoot USA as the official North Carolina state international festival is found in the North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 145 Section 145-19.

Chapter 145.
State Symbols and Other Official Adoptions.

§ 145-19. State International Festival.

Folkmoot USA is adopted as the official international festival of the State of North Carolina. (2003-315, s. 1.)