Boston, Massachusetts is celebrating the yearly New England Folk Festival, a festival for traditional music and dance. A lot of volunteered individuals perform in the festival, and participated with people who love to dance, sing, jam, and do other
exciting festival activities. Mary Gillete spearheaded a vision that the dance, crafts and songs of ethnic groups of New England can be shared and be presented for some audience.
In 1944, Mary Gillette, Ralph Page and
Grace Palmer were the parents of the concept. A simple chat at Boston YWCA was resulted to a big folk festival. This idea became an interest of many, until Philip Sharples, founder of Belmont Country Dance Group, tied-up with Mary and Ralph to call other leaders to discuss the idea over. A lot of recreation organizations and some ethnic group representatives were sent to discuss further the concept for more vivid vision.
The committee decided to retain the atmosphere of a
non-commercialism fair with high standard of authencity and quality performance. The opening festival was held on October 28 to 29, 1944; attended by some 200 people.
Bookmark http://www.worldwide-festivals.com/