Texas Folklife Festival
Texas Folklife Festival
by Sofia Follman
It has been said that Texas is a melting pot of people and their cultures. Each year, the Texas Folklife Festival recognizes and embraces many of the cultures that have made Texas their home. This festival celebrates these cultures through food, games, art , music, and clothing.
The Texas Folklife Festival was formed when the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures sent O.T. Baker as their representative and participated in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Folklife Festival that took place in 1968. Baker decided that San Antonio should host one too and got to work with the institute planning it. After lots of planning, the Texas Folklife Festival was finally celebrated on the grounds of the institute in HemisFair park in 1972.
The festival spans over three days, and some of the cultures celebrated are Spanish, German, Czech, French, and Chinese. Some of the activities include the Luling watermelon thump seed spitting contest, hawaiian hula dancing, and trick rope demonstrations. Volunteers are also needed to help with different booths across the grounds. In gratitude for their efforts, all volunteers will receive a parking pass, free shuttle service to and from the institute’s grounds, and free admission to the festival each day that it will be happening. A poster is also always designed for the festival.
This year, the festival will take place from June 7-9. On June 7, the festival will take place from 5-11 p.m. On June 8, the festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On June 9, the festival will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Come to the Texas Folklife Festival and celebrate all of Texas’ many cultures.
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Features, Front Page, News
This has always been a fun festival. Some of Sofia’s family members have been performers at this
festival for many years. And one family member has been featured on past years’ annual-designed poster for the festival. 🙂