Join the fun along the James River, in Richmond VA, as the 69th Festival swings into its last year on the east coast before heading west.

The National Folk Festival is a microcosm of the best of America. A melting pot of different cultures, colors and flavors presented in harmony.

It has 30 acts on 7 stages for 3 days.

It attracts over 100,000 people.

It showcases Zydeco from Cajun country, Latin music, African dance, Native American storytelling, gospel, blues, Western swing and Irish songs among much more.

And did we mention... it is free?

Called a “moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts” the festival was born during the Great Depression in the 1930s, making it the oldest such event in the country. Throughout its history, 27 cities, small and large, have hosted the festival usually for a three-year period.

With 2007 being the last in Richmond, the city plans on giving it a rousing send-off from its Brown’s Island location before sending it westward to Butte, Montana.

Kicking off the fun on Friday night, at the Ukrop’s/First Market Bank Stage, is the Virginia Intertribal Dance Group. By 8:00PM all three stages, including the Genworth Financial Stage and Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion are alive with action for the next two and one half hours.

Over the weekend your biggest dilemma is deciding which acts to catch. Luckily, multiple performances are the norm.

Hailing from Austin, Texas Grupo Fantasma is self-described as a hybrid of Latin dance music from both old and new school. Let some mambo, cumbias and merengue with a fraction of funk and a jolt of jazz get your feet moving.

Flip 380 degrees by listening to Melody of China, of San Francisco, a quartet dedicated to preserving ancient Chinese musical traditions or catching the vibrancy of the Ivory Coast beat with the Kotchegna Dance Company.

Reclaim your joie de vivre with the pulsating rhythms of southwest Louisiana’s Cajun country with Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys. No one can stay downtrodden as the inspirational gospel tunes from Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes or while the soothing Persian santur, played by Manoochehr Sadeghi, stir the soul.

The National Folk Festival is open to all ages.

At the Family Area 2007 entertainers, like Signora Bella with her Turkish swords and flaming torches juggling is guaranteed to be a crowd favorite as will learning to play the harmonica with Master Phil Wiggins. Free harmonicas will be offered to the first 100 children

Traditional crafts, along with demonstrations, can be found at the Ten Thousand Villages Marketplace.

Foods, with roots from around the world, are abundant. Just dig in whatever your tastes.

Cajun red beans & rice, fried fish with peppers and onions, Italian sausage, pecan crusted trout, Yakitori chicken, barbeque shrimp,Satay chicken, alligator nuggets, masala, stuffed grape leaves, bratwurst, collard greens and cream of crab soup are some of the sustenance to keep you salivating.

The 69th National Folk Festival offers strands of the American cultural tapestry to all.

Come connect with the riches.

For more information: www.nationalfolkfestival.com/