Nashville to host National Folk Festival

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 – Nashville was picked to host the National Folk Festival for 3 years starting in 2011. The fest will incorporate many types of music, including country.

The festival is the oldest and longest-running multi-ethnic traditional arts festival in the nation. This moveable exposition of traditional music and culture will be presented in downtown Nashville with the final year in Nashville marking the festival's 75th anniversary. Nashville won this honor in a competitive process involving 40 cities across the nation.

"No city in the United States can match the raw talent, creativity, and long history of making music like we have here in Nashville. You combine that with our growing international diversity and growing recognition and appreciation for the arts, and you have a city that is well primed to host the National Folk Festival and to create an event of a caliber worthy of serving as the celebration of its 75th anniversary," Mayor Karl Dean said.

The festival is expected to draw 80,000 attendees in its first year, increasing to over 150,000 by year 3 and is expected to have an estimated $10-15 million in economic impact per year. The stay is also intended to lay the groundwork for a new annual festival that will continue in Nashville after the fest leaves in 2014.