Photo: Courtesy of Henry Marte
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Excitement is brewing in downtown Lowell ahead of the 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival this weekend.
Lowell Folk Festival Director Lee Viliesis told WBZ NewsRadio that the free event brings hundreds of thousands of locals and out-of-towners together all weekend long.
“I always get one lady from California, [and] she’s always emailing me early to ask for the schedule and to know exactly where she is going to be at each stage for what band,” she said.
For the city of Lowell, the long-standing event is more than just good music, food and fun.
“It’s such a pride of place for the city and for the community,” Viliesis said. “I don’t know what it would be like if Lowell didn’t have a folk festival. The festival is as old as I am.”
For more than three decades, the Lowell Folk Festival has been put on by locals for locals. This year’s festivities are no different, with a parade marching from Lawrence and 22 food vendors cooking up cuisines from all over the world.
Photo: Courtesy of Lowell Folk Festival
“I’m not going to lie, the food Is maybe my favorite part,” Viliesis added. “You get to have all of that wonderful cuisine and then just sit and bask in all of the incredible music,”
The Lowell Folk Festival starts Friday night and runs through Sunday, July 27. For the full stage schedule and vendors, visit the event’s website here.
Listen to WBZ NewsRadio’s Drew Muhallond’s full interview with Festival Director Lee Viliesis