Frequently Asked Questions I know a great band that would be great for the Folk Festival. How do they get to play? How are performers selected? When will my favorite performers from prior years return to the AFF stages? Why aren't there more Maine performers at the Festival? How do food vendors apply? And how are they chosen? How do craft vendors apply? And how are they chosen? How much does it cost to put on the Festival? Can I volunteer for the Festival? What is the cost of admission to the Festival? Can I bring my dog to the Festival? Is the Festival handicap accessible? Festival Performers The American Folk Festival features the same diversity of music and dance that made the National Folk Festival so successful here in Bangor- the traditional arts of the many cultures that make up America today. Traditions that represent the cultural heritage of a region, an ethnic group, a religious group, or an occupation are examples of the genres of music that are featured at the AFF. Performers interested in submitting material to the Programming Committee may send a press kit to: American Folk Festival Programming Committee 40 Harlow Street Bangor ME 04401. Submitted materials can not be returned. Selection of Performers The National Council for Traditional Arts (NCTA), producers of the National Folk Festival, leads the selection of performers each year. The NCTA brings samples of recommended genres and artists to the AFF Programming Committee, which is a local group of media, folklore, entertainment and general public representatives. The Programming Committee voices artist/genre preferences, which the NCTA uses to guide the selection of performing artists. The programming budget is fixed each year, and the NCTA works within that budget to provide the best mix of entertainment. Favorite Artists We are now free to bring back any performers who have been a part of the NFF or AFF in Bangor, and the Programming Committee has agreed that we may consider up to two returning groups per year. However, there are still many excellent performers who have not yet been to Bangor, and we look forward to continuing to present new artists on the Festival stages, to keep the AFF new and different each year. Maine Performers The American Folk Festival's mission is to bring a wide variety of performing acts to Bangor. The Festival is designed to be an opportunity of festival-goers to see and hear performances that are unavailable to them any other time of the year. There are a select number of performers from Maine each year - representing a quality and tie to tradition that matches every other group on the Festival's stages. Food Vendors The application deadline for food vendors was February 8, 2008. Alll applications are screened by a Food Vendor Review Committee, whose goal is to select a diverse group of food vendors who can provide efficient and friendly service to festival-goers. If you'd like to be added to the 2009 Food Vendor mailing list, call (207)992-2630. Craft Vendors The application deadline for craft vendors in the Folk Arts Marketplace was February 8, 2008. The Folk Art & Craft Marketplace showcases traditional craft artisans. If you'd like to be added to the 2009 Craft Vendor mailing list, call (207)992-2630. It takes a Million Annually, it costs close to $1 million to produce the American Folk Festival. Funding comes from: Corporations (local, regional and national) (52%) Earned Income (booth fees, t-shirt sales, bucket brigade, etc.) (22%) Government (city, state and federal) sources (17%) Grants and Foundations (5%) Gifts from individuals (4%) Local organizers work year-round to secure funding to produce this annual event. Can I Volunteer? Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Festival. Each year, over 800 volunteers help in over 20 different areas of the Festival. To join in the fun, you can register online, or call Debbi at (207)974-3216. Cost of Admisson In order to make the American Folk Festival accessible to everyone, there is no admission fee. Festival-goers are asked to make a donation, and have a few different options: mail a check to: American Folk Festival, 40 Harlow Street, Bangor ME 04401 donate online make a donation to the Bucket Brigade while at the Festival Pets at the Festival We love animals too, but for everyone's safety and comfort, please leave all pets at home (with the exception of service animals). The Festival offers the following assistance to festival-goers: The Festival offers on-site transportation (in a golf-cart) to folks who need assistance traveling the Festival site. If you need assistance, check in with an information booth to request on-site transportation. Please note that there is a high demand for on-site transportation, and there may be a wait for your ride. Handicap parking is available at Bass Park, and a (free) wheelchair accessible shuttle travels back and forth from Bass Park to the Festival.There are wheelchair-accessible portapotties on-site.