Takoma Park Folk Festival

Since its inception in 1978, the Takoma Park Folk Festival has been a community affair, organized by volunteers from the Takoma Park area. The Takoma Park Folk Festival continues to be an event by and for the community of Takoma Park, and its all-volunteer organizing committee and performers maintain the legacy of founder Sam Abbott.

Sam Abbott, artist, activist, organizer, and Mayor (1980 to 1986) showed us that one person can make a huge difference. That first year, 1978, a one-stage festival was held at Takoma Park Junior High School, and it raised about $1,100 to help keep the Takoma Theatre out of the hands of a developer. Since that time, the festival has grown in size and stature, but it’s remained true to its roots as a celebration by and for Takoma Park residents: The Festival for the Folk of Takoma Park.

For more on the history of the Takoma Park Folk Festival…

• Homegrown and Proud of It (Takoma Voice June 2002)
25 years of music, dance & fun

• A Return to Roots (Takoma Voice 2002)
Takoma Park Folk Festival and the Takoma Theatre, Together Again

• Festival Celebrates 20 Years
Reprinted from 1997

The Takoma Park Folk Festival, Inc., is a Maryland nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status.