International Folkfest

Murfreesboro’s International Folkloric Society, a non-profit organization formed in 1986, announces the arrival of musicians and dancers from Estonia, Poland, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. on June 8, 2025. The guest folk troupes will be joined by festival hosts, Rutherford County’s Cripple Creek Cloggers, and The Slim Chance Band, Rob Pearcy, Director. The International Folkfest began in 1982 and this will be the 43rd anniversary. Approximately 75 dancers and musicians will visit and perform in the middle Tennessee area June 10-14. Troupes will have public performances in Smyrna, LaVergne, Christiana, Tullahoma, Bell Buckle, Eagleville, and various locations in Murfreesboro. For a full schedule of public performances, as well as information on all performing troupes, see https://www.mboro-international-folkfest.org/schedule.html.

All groups will share dances and music at a welcome party hosted by New Vision Church in Murfreesboro. During their Murfreesboro stay, participating troupes will tour historical, educational, cultural, and scenic sites in middle Tennessee. Each troupe will have its own local guides and buses for the week. Officials representing local and state governments will be invited for traditional gift exchanges. Diplomats from the embassies of the countries attending have been invited.

International Folkfest was the first of its kind in the U.S. Beginning in 1973, Cripple Creek Cloggers began to represent the U.S. in other countries’ festivals. Their experiences were so positive that a group of interested folks founded the International Folkfest in Murfreesboro. The International Folkloric Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so planning is a labor of love for those involved. Interested people are always welcome to participate in planning.

Major sponsors include Middle Tennessee Electric, Tennessee Arts Commission, and the state of Tennessee (through its specialty license plates program). Additional funding is appreciated.