By SAM WEBER

STAFF WRITER

For all of you who can not resist a good fiddle tune, locally produced food and beverages and artisanal products, YOU ARE IN LUCK! The Fourth Annual North Country Folk Festival is making its grand return to campus on Saturday, April 25, from noon until 11 that evening.

Get ready to dance, mingle with local craftsmen and sample all kinds of delicious things at this year’s festival, which will be held on the old java quad.  Do not you even worry about rain; we have got the BIG tent this year.  What exactly is the North Country Folk Festival, you ask?  Sponsored by the one and only Green House, the festival aims to celebrate local folk culture by bringing regional bands and local craftsmen and vendors to campus for all to enjoy.  In the words of Grand Master of All Things Folk Fest, Jake Brillhart ‘15, “It’s going to be a hell of a time. Whether you are a serious folk connoisseur, or just a college kid looking to listen to music and dance like mad, this is guaranteed to make it on your list of top SLU events.”  Did I mention that admission is free and open to the public? 

This year, as in years past, we will be hosting a variety of artisans, farmers and craftsmen who will be conducting demonstrations and displaying their wares throughout the festival.  SLU Dining Services will also hold a local food theme dinner that evening, and there will be a biergarten featuring St. Lawrence Brewing Company beer, for our 21 and over festival-goers.

Last, but certainly not least, this year’s event has some fantastic bands in its lineup.  The live music will begin with a few student bands, The Brewster Band and American String Circus, followed by a contra dance from 2:45-3:45.  Then, in this order, our stage will be graced with The Fox and The Feather, which is a band comprised of Paul Smith’s students and alumni, The Original Crooks and Nannies, a Philadelphia-based duo, Alex Smith and The Mountain Sound (Alex is a 2013 SLU grad), Floodwood, featuring Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico from moe., and our headliner, Laura Stevenson and The Cans.

There will be festival stickers and t-shirts for sale in the student center soon, so be sure to rock some Folk Fest swag on April 25.