Waynesville NC News | International Folkmoot Festival

Published on June 2, 2015

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

Cultural enthusiasts worldwide are looking forward to the upcoming International Folkmoot Festival held annually in Waynesville, one of the best places to live in North Carolina. The 10 day dance celebration takes place July 17 through July 26, 2015. This year, the colorful collection of dance venues will take place at Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley with several performances scattered throughout the city of Waynesville and neighboring communities. This year’s celebration of dance cultures features performers from Eastern Band Cherokee performers as well as dancers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Chile, Ecuador, Estonia, Phillipines, French Canada and Puerto Rico.

The vibrant display of pageantry will commence with a Folkmoot Grand Opening on Friday, July 17 with a performance at Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley. Reserved seating is available for $30. General Admission for adults is $20 and children (12 and under) are half-price. There is also “The Folkmoot Gala & Performance” slated at the Champagne & Dessert Reception on Thursday, July 16th from 6:30 to 7:30, for “Friends of Folkmoot” for donors $150 and above and a Gala Preview Performance from 7:30 to 9:30pm. The Folkmoot festival will end with the traditional candlelight closing on July 26th.

In 1973, through the efforts of Dr. Clinton Border, a Waynesville surgeon, accompanied a local square dance team to a folk festival in Sidmouth, England. There began the dream that would, 11 years later, become Folkmoot USA, one of the fun things to do in Waynesnville NC. In 1983, Border presented his vision to Haywood County’s community leaders and a month after his presentation to community leaders, Folkmoot USA became a dream come true. Borders had traveled to other festivals in Poland and France and after returning with his vision, community leaders agreed to the now world renowned “North Carolina International Folk Festival, Folkmoot USA”.

The first festival was held in 1984, a date coinciding with North Carolina’s 400th birthday celebration. The name Folkmoot, an Old English word meaning “meeting of the people,” was borrowed from a folk festival that was once held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Who would have thought you'd find an international event so intriguing in the mountains of North Carolina.

While attending the event, Baby Boomers looking for rustic mountain homes will find this to be a highly sought after retirement zone a great place to find undervalued Waynesville NC real estate. The town of Waynesville prides itself as being a year round recreational resource. Whether it’s fishing in the spring, waterfall hunting or boating, this area is known for not only great spring and summer festivities, but winter sports as well. Perhaps hiking in the fall and enjoying the change of season, residents here have truly found one of the best places to live in North Carolina.

Waynesville is also nicknamed the “Spill over town of Asheville”, because of the similar characteristics on a smaller scale and is only 30 minutes from Asheville. The historic mountain gem offers tasty restaurants, antique shopping and culture. Living here, Boomers can live the good life in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains with plenty of fun things to do in Waynesville NC.

A great place to find a retirement property, private retreat or vacation home in Waynesville can be found at Sunset Falls at Bald Creek, a 300-acre gated mountain community nestled within the very heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in Haywood County, there are 16 mountain peaks that rise to elevations of more than 6,000 feet and from the summit of Sunset Falls at Bald Creek, you can see most of them. Nestled amongst the spectacular summits and ridgelines connecting them, the backdrop of the rustic mountain homes found at the Waynesville NC real estate development couldn’t be more beautiful.

Residents here have a complete array of outdoor recreational choices in all four seasons. Whether it is rafting, hiking, kayaking or mountain biking, active Boomers will always stay in shape here while enjoying the beautiful scenery. There are also winter skiing, snowboarding, hunting and equestrian facilities available for exercise of all kinds. Within minutes to the entrance at Sunset Falls at Bald Creek folks will find The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which includes the Cataloochee Valley and the Elk Preserve.

Not only will the breathtaking views here invigorate mountain home shoppers, but splashing in the many waterfalls that decorate this mountain community will make one feel like a child again. After entering the gated entrance, active retirees will found numerous hiking trails upon which to explore this “piece of paradise” at Sunset Falls at Bald Creek.

There are 52 rustic mountain homes planned for Phase I of Sunset Falls. Buyers seeking rustic mountain homes with long range views and privacy will find them here. The Waynesville NC real estate developer chose to keep the property simple and affordable by not adding expensive amenities that property owners are responsible to maintain later on. There are golf courses, tennis clubs and the 54,000 square foot Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center within 20 minutes of the community leaving the choice of club memberships at the discretion of the property owners. With quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and a convenient backdoor to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, who wouldn’t want to live in the area's North Carolina mountain communities.

Lots for sale range from 1.2 to over 3 acres. The gated community offers level buildable lots or mountainside topography. Turn-key starter home packages start in the mid $300k's. Rustic mountain homes with stellar long range views can easily exceed $1 million. Sunset Falls at Bald Creek lots for sale are available starting at $69,900 and long range mountain view lots are priced from the mid $100k's to just over $200k's. Sunset Falls at Bald Creek approved builders include Buena Vista Construction, an Energy Star green builder. Monthly HOA fees are low at less than $50 per month

So while attending the International Folkmoot Festival this year, meet Waynesville NC real estate developer Michael Posey. He’s happy to show you around and share his insight into living in one of the best places to live in North Carolina.

Here is a breakdown of the International Folkmoot Festival schedule for this spectacular dance ensemble:

July 16 – Folkmoot Gala – Champagne & Dessert Reception – 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley, a private event for Friends of Folkmoot, donors & sponsors.
July 16 – Friends of Folkmoot Gala Preview Performance – 7:30pm to 9:30pm – For donors of $150 or more.
July 17 – Folkmoot Parade of Nations on North Main Street in Waynesville ending at the historic Haywood Country Courthouse.
July 17 – Folkmoot Grand Opening! – Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley, Reserved Seating Adults - $30; General Admission - $20 and kids under 12 half-price.
July 18 – Folkmoot International Day, A World Class Arts Festival held in collaboration with the Haywood Arts Council featuring a day full of performers is a FREE event on Main Street in Waynesville from 10am to 5pm.
July 18 – Haywood Community College – all groups performing at 7:30pm. Tickets for reserved seating - $25-$30; General Admission - $20/Students and Children $5.
July 19 – Diana Wortham Theatre (Ashville) – all groups performing at 1:30pm. General Admission Adults - $30/children 12 and under – half price.
July 19 – World Friendship Day, Stuart Auditorium – Lake Junaluska (4 groups) – Reserved Seating Adults - $25 to $30/General Admission Adults $15/Students & children $5. Performance is 7pm.
July 19 - SALT Block Auditorium, Hickory (3 groups) – Hickory International Council (828) 234-6330. General Admission Adults: $16, Children 12 and under: half price. 7pm.
July 20 – Franklin (NC) High School, Franklin (3 groups) – General Admission $18; Children (12 & under) – half price. 7:30pm
July 21 – Colonial Theater, Canton, NC (3 groups) – General Admission $16; Students & Children $5. 7:30pm
July 21 – Swain High School, Bryson City (3 groups) – General Admission $16; Children 12 & under – half price. 7:30pm
July 22 – Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock (All groups) – General Admission $30; Children 12 & under – half price. 2pm
July 22 – Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock (All groups) – General Admission $30; Children 12 & under – half price. 7:30pm
July 22 – MORE EVENTS POSTING SOON!
July 23 – Haywood County Fairgrounds, Waynesville (3 groups) – General Admission – Carload $18. 4pm
July 23 – Burnsville Town Center (2 groups) – General Admission Adults $16; Children 12 and under, half price. 2pm
July 23 – Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St., 828-253-0701. (2 groups) - General Admission Adults - $18; Children 12 & under – half price. 7pm
July 24 – Extravaganza Matinee, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley (All groups) – Reserved seating – Adults $25 - $30; General Admission – Adults $20; Students and children $5. 2pm
July 24 – Mountain Street Dance, Main Street, Waynesville (Folkmoot Group Guest Appearance – FREE EVENT – 6:30pm
July 24 – Extravaganza, Stompin’ Ground, Maggie Valley (All groups) Reserved seating Adults $25 - $30; Students & children $5. 7:30pm
July 25 – Western Carolina University, Bardo Theater (3 groups) – Reserved seating Adults $16; Students & children $5. 3pm
July 25 – Haywood Community College, Clyde (All groups) – Reserved seating – Adults $25 - $30; General Admission Adults - $20; Students & children - $5. 7:30pm
July 25 – Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Cherokee (800)-438-1601 (1 Cherokee and 1 Folkmoot Group) – General Admission, Adults - $10; Students & Children $5. 3pm
July 26 – Diana Wortham Theatre, Ashville (828) 257-4530 (All Groups) – General Admission Adults $30; Children 12 & under – half price. 1:30pm
July 26 – Candlelight Closing, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska (All groups) – Reserved Seating Adults $25 - $30; General Admission Adults $20; Children 12 and under –half price. 7pm

Here are a few more fun facts about the Folkmoot Festival:

FOLKMOOT FACTS:

Folkmoot USA is a non-profit 501(c)[3] organization that relies upon donations, sponsorships, memberships and grants to provide year-round programming at the Folkmoot Friendship Center and to produce Folkmoot USA, an annual 2-week celebration of global culture.

In 2003, with Senate Bill 840, the North Carolina General Assembly declared the Folkmoot Festival, the International Festival of North Carolina.

Folkmoot USA is held annually during the last two weeks of July and brings international folk dancers and musicians from around the world to perform throughout Western North Carolina.

Approximately 100,000 people attend Folkmoot performances each year.

Based on a study by Syneva Economics, the Folkmoot Festival attendees create a 9.2 million economic impact in Western North Carolina. This economic activity support 110.7 jobs of Western North Carolina residents and generates 1.27 million in tax revenue related to consumer-driven commerce.

Folkmoot USA is a member of CIOFF – International Council of Organization of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art, in partnership with UNESCO. There are approximately 9-member countries who meet each year at the World Congress.

In 2014, Folkmoot was named a Top Ten Festival by USA Today. For 22 years, the Southeast Tourism Society named the Festival, “One of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast” and the Southeast Tourism Society names Folkmoot as a “Top 100 Event in America”.

Each year, hundreds of groups apply to perform, but only 8 to 10 are chosen. Each year, Folkmoot invites new and different performers.