Enjoy music, dancing, crafts & food at the 23rd Falcon Ridge Folk Festival 7/22-7/24 in Hillsdale NY

July 1, 2011 - PRLog -- From the start, the fest had a life of its own, not just an event but a state of mind one could go back to again and again. Campers and day-trippers alike come together for this once a year recharging of the psyche’s batteries on the Dodds Farm in Hillsdale, NY this July 22-24.

The fest community was built around the music, though today, many attend solely for the tasty international food, the equally international craft village or to dance the day & night away on the largest outdoor floor of its kind. There is something for everyone; a food expo, craft fair, dance marathon, children’s play camp. Each of the 4 stages is its own micro universe, the campgrounds another world altogether. Throngs of youngsters populate the Activities 4 Kids Area, all-night song circles abound and the never idle dance floor starts with early AM yoga and goes until 2AM Friday and Saturday.

Consumables to satisfy every palate line the midway, vegan Caribbean curries, Thai noodles, portobello wraps, spinach feta quesadillas & fresh-cut, fried potato chips. Fruit smoothies, chocolate confections and hand-roasted coffees are popular as is clothing, fabrics, jewelry, literature, toys, pottery, hand blown glass, musical instruments, herbals and other goods.

2011 highlights include Grammy winning blues legend Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, one of the last direct links to Muddy Waters and Magic Sam keeping alive the classic west side Chicago electric blues. Fest faves Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, the Clayfoot Strutters, Greg Brown and Red Molly return. Newcomers, the Honeycutters bring their original Americana with seamless harmonies reminiscent of Carolina farmlands after a rainstorm. Second generation Zydeco legend CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band make their Falcon Ridge debut. Five-time Grammy winner, Mary Chapin Carpenter closes out the fest's main stage Sunday evening at 6PM.  

Performers run the gamut from Cajun to Celtic to Country to World, Blues & Bluegrass with the fest’s trademark singer/songwriters and contra dance bands at the center. Artists from Texas, Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, Ireland and closer to home are featured. Kids of all ages are welcome at the fun filled Family Stage. Workshops include The Blues is Still the News, Sweet Harmony and Rolling In the Aisles. Three day with & without camping and single day tickets are available. FREE admission for kids 12 and under plus discounts for seniors, students and teens. Falcon Ridge is handicap accessible and ASL-interpreted.

The fest kicks off at noon Friday July 22 with its critically acclaimed Emerging Artist Showcase. For info and tickets go to www.FalconRidgeFolk.com or call 860 364-0366.