Special thanks to blog authors Lynda Hoekstra, Kim Ross-Woody, and Chase Smith and much appreciation to Anna of the TDA who runs the Visit NC Smokies blog for her time and effort organizing, editing, and posting our authors’ work.  The Visit NC Smokies website is a terrific resource on what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.  Take a look and share it with your out-of-town visitors too!

Would you like to contribute yourself?  Please visit http://power2give.org/NorthCarolina/Project/Detail?projectId=8374.  We receive all donations at the end, even if we don’t achieve our goal,and we consider replacing any of the computers to be a step in the right direction.  Our generous donors have made it where we know we can purchase 2 of the 4 computers!  Every donation gets us a little closer to one more new computer.  We really appreciate the donations!

July 19, SA-10 – 5—Haywood County Arts Council’s ArtFest (formerly International Festival Day), Main Street, Waynesville. Folkmoot groups perform to benefit Haywood County Arts Council. Info@haywoodarts.org or 828-452-0593.

July 19, SA-2:00 pm—Performance/Workshop, Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Information and directions: (800) 438-1601 (Tsalagi Touring Group from Cherokee and Hawaii, USA) General Admission: Adults $10, Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 19, SA-7:30 pm—Haywood Community College, Clyde. (All Groups with special guests, Dixie Darlin’s and Blackberry Jam) Reserved seating: Adults $30, $25; General admission Adults $20; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 20, SU-1:30 pm—Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte Street, 28801 (828) 253-0701. (Romania and Turkey) General Admission Adults $18, Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 20, SU-3:30 pm—World Friendship Day, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. (Taiwan, Russia, Colombia, Trinidad with special guests Southern Appalachian Cloggers and The Ross Brothers) Reserved seating: Adults $25, $20; General admission Adults $15; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 20, SU-7:00 pm—SALT Block Auditorium, Hickory. (Hawaii, USA; Romania, Turkey) General Admission Adults $16; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 22, T-7:30 pm—Colonial Theatre, Canton (Taiwan, Colombia, Trinidad) Adults $16; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 22, T-7:30 pm—Swain High School, Bryson City. (Hawaii, USA; Romania, Turkey) Adults $16; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 23, W-2:00 pm—Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock. (All Groups) General Admission Adults $30, Students, Faculty: 1⁄2 price, Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 23, W-7:30 pm—Asheville High School, Asheville. (All Groups) General Admission Adults $30, Students, Faculty: 1⁄2 price, Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 24, TH-2:00 pm—Town Center, Burnsville. (Russia and Trinidad) General Admission Adults $16; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 24, TH-7:30 pm—Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts, Franklin. (Hawaii, USA; Taiwan, Colombia) Adults $27, $22; Children (12 & under) FREE. Tickets: (828) 524-1598

July 25, F-2:00 pm—Extravaganza Matinee, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All Groups) Reserved seating: Adults $30, $25; General admission Adults $20; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 25, F-6:30 pm—Folkmoot Group Guest Appearance at Mountain Street Dance (Russia), Main Street, Waynesville. Free Event. For information: www.downtownwaynesville.com

July 25, F-7:30 pm—Extravaganza, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. (All Groups with special guests Southern Appalachian Cloggers and Stuart Brothers) Reserved seating: $30, $25; General admission Adults $20; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 26, SA-10:30 am—Folkmoot Parade of Nations, Waynesville. (All Groups with special guests Jonathan Creek Cloggers and Stuart Brothers) From Historic Court House down Main Street, Free Event.

July 26, SA-3:00 pm—Performance/Workshop, Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds (800) 438-1601. (Tsalagi Touring Group from Cherokee and Colombia) General Admission Adults $16, Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 26, SA-7:30 pm—Haywood Community College, Clyde. (All Groups with special guests Dixie Darlin’s and The Ross Brothers) Reserved seating: Adults $30, $25; General Admission Adults $20; Children (12 & under) FREE.

July 27, SU-1:30 pm—Diana Wortham Theater, Asheville. (All Groups) General Admission, Adults $30, Children (12 & under) FREE. Tickets: (828) 247-4530 or dwtheatre.com

July 27, SU-7:00 pm—Candlelight Closing, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. (All Groups with special guests Warriors of AniKituwah, the Green Grass Cloggers and Blackberry Jam) Reserved seating: Adults $30, $25; General admission Adults $20; Children (12 & under) 1⁄2 price.

We appreciate their support, along with the fact that the North Carolina Department of Tourism is one of the their supporters.  UNC-TV is even featuring us on their NC Weekend Host Page!

Does this make you want to order tickets??  :)  You can buy tickets online here or see our schedule (including 2 free outings!) here.

If you have visited us before on International Festival Day, please keep in mind there is a new schedule for that event, which has always been and continues to be sponsored by Haywood County Arts Council.  It now has a new day & time!  It is now called ArtFest and is on Saturday, July 19, from 10:00AM-5:00PM.  We’ll be offering up a couple of performances to support their new venture and wish them every success!   On Saturday, July 26, we have the Folkmoot Parade of Nations in downtown Waynesville, starting at 10:30AM.

Questions regarding tickets?  Please call us at 828.452.2997 or stop by 112 Virginia Ave in Waynesville during business hours!  We appreciate all of our fans and look forward to bringing the world the North Carolina in just 7 short days.

Sidenote/bonus:  if you donate between Monday, July 7, and Friday, July 11, you will be entered to win 2 tickets to our Folkmoot performance at Diana Wortham Threatre in Asheville on July 27th!  The winner will be announced on facebook and contacted by email as well.  Can’t make the performance and still want to donate?  Wondering what happens if you win?  You can give your winning tickets to friends or family members!

Folkmoot USA will host an Open House on Thursday, June 26, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., to celebrate Haywood County’s generous donation of the historic Hazelwood School to the cultural organization.

On June 16, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners approved the donation of the historic Hazelwood School facilities to Folkmoot USA. According to county tax records, the facility is worth approximately $1.3 million. This marks the first time that Folkmoot USA has had a permanent home in its 31-year history of offering its annual summer festival and other events celebrating international culture.

“We have operated as tenants in this facility for more than a decade,” explained Karen Babcock, Executive Director of Folkmoot USA. “Ownership opens the door to both new responsibilities and exciting opportunities.”

By fixing the roof, renovating the auditorium, and making other facility changes, Folkmoot USA can achieve its goals of offering events year-round and operating a center that brings the local, regional and international communities together. Some of the possibilities
include hosting guests and creating venues for community and international events and performances. Folkmoot USA has already secured $167,000 in cash support to help initiate these changes.

“We are very grateful to Haywood County for providing the largest donation in Folkmoot USA’s history,” said Rose Johnson, president of the board of Folkmoot USA. “The Open House is an opportunity to celebrate this amazing gift and also start the conversation about the future. We are thoroughly committed to utilizing this historic school facility to serve the community. We’re eager for people to come see the center and offer their ideas.”

Folkmoot USA supporters, former teachers and students at the historic Hazelwood School, Hazelwood neighbors, and the general public are all welcome to attend the Open House, which will take place at 112 Virginia Avenue in Hazelwood (Waynesville), from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. This free event will include light refreshments.

Nominations for new Folkmoot USA board members are now being accepted. Terms will begin in September, 2014. Forms may be picked up during the Open House or requested via phone or email.

For more information about the Open House or board member nominations, please call 828-452-2997 or email info@folkmoot.com.

Folkmoot Festival Generates $9.2 million—Organization Releases Results of 2013 Economic Impact Survey

The results of an economic impact study conducted by Tom Tveidt of SYNEVA Economics demonstrate that Folkmoot USA had a $9.2 million impact on Western North Carolina in 2013.
The firm conducts economic impact assessments for clients throughout the United States, and has most recently completed studies for UNC Asheville, the Boy Scouts of America’s National
Scouting Center, and the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Only overnight and outside day-trip visitors were included in Folkmoot’s study. “By tracking Festival spending as it
moves through the local economy, we were able to measure the important role it plays in supporting jobs, adding income and generating tax revenues,” noted Mr. Tveidt.

This news comes at a positive time in the organization’s history. Folkmoot Executive Director Karen Babcock sees a great future for Folkmoot’s cultural exchange activities, “We are thrilled
that our efforts to bring the world’s cultures to Western North Carolina have a positive economic impact on communities. The $9.2 million impact has far exceeded all expectations.”

After 30 years of focusing on the annual summer festival, Folkmoot is becoming a more sustainable organization with plans to offer year-round programs. The expanded cultural programs will more closely reflect Folkmoot’s sister organizations throughout the world who are also members in CIOFF®, International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and
Folk Art. CIOFF® promotes the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage through dance, music, games and other arts in partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Leading the Board of Directors through this year of transition is Folkmoot USA’s new President, Dr. Rose Johnson, former President of Haywood Community College and longtime
Folkmoot board member. “Much of the board of directors’ work in the coming year will focus on implementing its strategic plan to strengthen Folkmoot USA’s position as a premier provider of
international dance, music, and cultural experiences. It will do so in partnership with the community and international organizations and by launching a capital campaign to support its programs, facilities and endowment.”

The economic study included the Western North Carolina region but focused on Haywood County, showing that Folkmoot’s overnight visitors spent $6.6 million during their visit. Outside
day-trippers spent an additional $89,000 in Haywood County. The economic activity generated from Folkmoot USA supports 101 jobs in Haywood as well as $1 million in additional tax
revenues.

Folkmoot USA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies upon donations, sponsorships, Friends of Folkmoot members, ticket sales and grants to hold the Folkmoot Festival and other
programs each year, and is based in Waynesville, NC. The Folkmoot Festival has held the title “Top Twenty Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society for 22 years and was named a “Top 100 Event” by the American Bus Association.

For more information, to make a donation or to purchase tickets to the 2014 Folkmoot Festival July 18 – 27, go to www.FolkmootUSA.org or call 877-FolkUSA (877-365-5872). Like us on our Facebook page: Folkmoot USA, The “Official” North Carolina International Folk Festival.

Contact information: SYNEVA Economics www.syneva.com
Tom Tveidt, Research Economist (828-734-5021)