The Sisters Folk Festival was created in 1995 by Dick Sandvik and Jim Cornelius. It is a non-profit event supported by sponsors. Since its inception, the Sisters Folk Festival has developed into a year-round arts and culture organization that aims to celebrate American roots music and bring it closer to a wide audience.
Over the years, the Sisters Folk Festival has welcomed some of the best folk musicians and songwriters from the United States and Canada, including Ian Tyson, Tim O’Brien, Jesse Winchester, Natalie MacMaster, Chris Smither, Dave Carter, The Waybacks, John Gorka, Ruthie Foster, The Wailin’ Jennys, The Waifs, and others. It also features up-and-coming musicians, giving them an opportunity to shine.
The Sisters Folk Festival is held in September, the weekend after Labor Day (the first Monday in September), drawing about 4,000 festival-goers. The concerts take place at several venues with varying capacities from 150 to 1100, including Sisters Art Works, Village Green Park, Melvin’s Fir Street Market, The Belfry, Depot Cafe, The Open Door at Clearwater Gallery, Angeline’s Bakery, Americana Stage at Fir Street Park, FivePine Lodge & Conference Center, Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill, and Sisters Coffee Company.
The festival is preceded by the Americana Song Academy, a four-day creative camp where many festival artists teach various aspects of singing, music, songwriting and performance. Its program includes mentor sessions, open mics, private concerts, and other activities. Campers have to pay for participation, but the experience is definitely worth the money. The fee includes instruction, meals and camping.
As we’ve already mentioned, the Sisters Folk Festival also organizes year-round projects. They include My Own Two Hands (a community arts fundraiser), Invest in the Arts, the Song Academy of Youth, and the Winter Concert Series.
Photo: Sisters Folk Festival
