More than 150,000 people joined the Virginia Folklife Program on the banks of the James River from October 10-12 for the tenth annual Richmond Folk Festival. This year’s festival provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our twenty-fifth year of serving Virginia as the state center for the documentation, presentation, support and celebration of our rich cultural folkways. Though the skies were gray, nothing could dampen the energy and spirit of the performers on the Virginia Folklife Stage. From bluegrass to gospel to break dancing, audiences witnessed stunning performances by longtime favorites and new faces.
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Crowds gather outside the Virginia Folklife stage, sponsored by Union and University of Richmond. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Jim Wark prepares the oysters for world champion Deborah Pratt in the epic Shucking Smackdown IV. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Bailey Hummingbirds. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Bailey Hummingbirds. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Bailey Hummingbirds. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Martha Spencer dances with the Crooked Road Ramblers old time band. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Linda Lay on bass. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Telisha Williams of Wild Ponies. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Cheryl Maroney and Almeta Ingram-Miller of Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Evangelist Maggie Ingram. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Cheick Hamala Diabate. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Harold Mitchell, emcee. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Danny Knicely, onstage with Furnace Mountain. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
The church crowns fashion show featured local Richmond showing off their finest hats. Organized by Mavis Wynn of Venture Richmond and emceed by Earl Fleming, the event featured some awe-inspiring hats.
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Church crowns fashion show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Church Crowns Fashion Show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Church Crowns Fashion Show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia
Church Crowns Fashion Show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia
Church Crowns Fashion Show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia
Church Crowns Fashion Show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia
Desiree Centeio shows off a disco ball hat during the Church Crowns fashion show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Desiree Centeio shows off a disco ball hat during the Church Crowns fashion show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Church Crowns fashion show. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
The Virginia Folklife crafts area featured some of Virginia’s finest makers: boat builders, decoy carvers, instrument makers, and more.
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Wesley Butler, boat builder. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Dale Wise, accordion maker and player. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
John Hollandsworth, autoharp maker. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Chris Testerman, fiddle maker. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Grayson Chesser, decoy carver. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
P.G. Ross, decoy carver. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Decoy Carving. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Don Leister, fiddle maker. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Dudley Biddlecomb discusses oysters with festival goers. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Philip Shahan discusses oyster aquaculture. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Philip Shahan discusses oyster aquaculture. Photo by Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program.
Mike Vlahovich, master shipwright. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Walter Messick, dulcimer maker. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Mama Girl, folk artist and paper mache sculptor. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
George Butler, boar builder. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
Clyde Jenkins, white oak basket maker. Photo by Peter Hedlund/Virginia Folklife Program.
We thank our staff and sponsors for the great help and support of this event, and look forward to another ten years of the Richmond Folk Festival.
