MARQUETTE - Where else would you find performances by the Top Drawer String Band, The Ebony Hillbillies, Big Ron Hunter and Ironing Board Sam and Le Vent du Nord all in one place besides the Hiawatha Music Festival.
The annual festival is in its 33rd year this weekend, giving everyone from kids to grandparents the chance to embrace traditional music.
"This is all about traditional acoustic American music," festival coordinator Maggie Morgan said. "It's sort of a sampler of traditional styles of music."
Attended by 3,000 to 4,000 people each year, the festival showcases everything from old-time string bands to French Canadian traditional music.
Continuing today, the festival includes main stage musical acts, activities for kids and teens, as well as smaller workshops for those who want to learn more about specific instruments and styles.
"Dance is a big component of our festival, too," Morgan said.
At the separate dance tent, experienced dancers, as well as those not so experienced, took to the dance floor Saturday to learn the basics of traditional square dancing.
"One of the things that always impresses me is the range of ages of people," said Karen Bacula, a board member of the Hiawatha Music Co-op.
Besides being an annual reunion for those who regularly attend, the festival gives those who might be unfamiliar with traditional music forms the chance to experience something new, Morgan said.
"We try to make it a family event and bring the next generation into this type of music," she said. "It's fun to watch young people find things they've never heard before. This is a kind of music that does not get commercial air play."
Although some public radio stations do offer programs on traditional music, the festival is a chance to expose a large audience to the art form.
With the hands-on workshops, attendees get the chance to take part in the music, instead of just being in the audience.
"It's really about giving people a chance to come try these things," Morgan said. "Nobody's going to make you feel unwelcome."
The festival continues beginning at 11 a.m. today and runs until 10 p.m. Tickets for the day are $40 for adults, seniors and teens while children 5 to 12 years old get in for $5.
Johanna Boyle can be reached at 906-486-4401. Her email address is jboyle@miningjournal.net.
