Chronicle Spring & Summer 2008 - Kentucky Historical Society

2007
KENTUCKY
FOLKLIFE
FESTIVAL
The Kentucky Folklife Festival, held in Frankfort in September
2007, was a three-day showcase of the ongoing work
of the Kentucky Folklife Program. Months of fieldwork
documentation, training of community scholars, curriculum
development, master apprenticeships, and more were
presented.
The Festival also provided on-the-spot training opportunities.
Folklife community scholars helped plan the festival, learning
how to develop festivals in their own towns and cities.
Graduate students from the Folk Studies program of Western
Kentucky University also participated.
The Kentucky Historical Society campus and the Frankfort
riverfront were filled with demonstration tents and stages
featuring cultural, dance, food, and musical traditions.
The 2007 festival spotlighted Kentucky immigration stories,
Kentucky State University homecoming traditions, and
Kentucky luthiers (stringed-instrument makers), including a
special tribute to the late Homer Ledford. Rhythm and blues
pop sensations and Kentucky State University alumni Midnight
Star took to the main stage on Friday night, and Sam Bush was
featured on Saturday night.
Among the Festival’s many participants were more than
10,000 schoolchildren, teachers, and chaperones from 41
counties, who made the trek to Frankfort to experience this
interactive and educational arts and cultural event.
16 | www.history.ky.gov |
17