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Richmond Folk Festival draws thousands: ‘Diversity is beautiful’

Posted at 9:29 PM, Oct 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-16 08:16:46-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Capital City's signature fall event proved that different cultures and backgrounds can exist together.

The Richmond Folk Festival drew thousands from Friday through Sunday on Brown's Island.

"Diversity is beautiful and this is a wonderful place to come and experience it," Araina Campbell said.

More than 30 performing groups from all over the world entertained from seven live music stages.

Sahba Motallebi brought her Persian tar instrument for the final performance of the festival on the CoStar stage.

"They call it the mother of instrument in Iran," Motallebi explained. "Everybody can relate to music."

Sahba Motallebi

Performances ranged from a New Orleans brass band, Hindustani Khyal singing, bluegrass, flamenco, and a honky tonk singer.

"There are so many talented people that you don’t get to see that everyday," Joanna Ernst said.

Last year more than 125,000 people followed the sound of music down to the riverfront.

There was continuous music and dance performances, a Virginia Folklife demonstration area, children's activities, a folk arts marketplace, regional and ethnic foods and more.

The Campbell family were admittedly sweaty after dancing to Cabo Verdean funana inside the Dominion Energy Dance Paviolion.

"Since I'm from Haiti it seems like home is coming to Richmond," James Campbell said.

The 13th year of the event kicked off on Friday the 13th, a sign of good luck, organizers said.