Our Story

For 38 years, the World Folkfest has been a shining example of the unifying power of music and dance. Cultures from all around the world come together on One Stage to create One World. Hundreds of dancers and musicians travel from more than 45 countries to share their art, inspiring thousands of spectators. The festival's outdoor amphitheater, once humble, now stands as a beacon of hope and celebration, showcasing the beauty and diversity of folk traditions.

The Springville World Folkfest was brought to life in 1986 through the shared vision and dedication of a group of individuals. Among them was Mary Bee Jensen, the founder of Brigham Young University's International Folk Dance Ensemble. Her passion for folk dance and music led her to organize her own festival at BYU in 1975. Her unwavering commitment to promoting the beauty and diversity of folk culture inspired the creation of the Springville World Folkfest, which continues to enchant audiences today.

During a meeting, George Frandsen, a young lawyer from Salt Lake City, shared his vision of introducing the beauty of foreign dances to his community. He was joined by Karl Allred, a skilled bluegrass fiddler, his wife Rama Allred, and Kristeen Harrington, who also shared his passion for dance. Together, they discussed how they could make this dream a reality and bring the graceful court dances of Poland, the ballet-like features of Japanese folk dancing, and the sway of the vast banners of Belgium to the families of Utah. With their collective enthusiasm and skills, they were determined to create a cultural experience accessible to everyone in the community.

The dream set in motion at that meeting became a reality with determination and hard work. Despite the challenges of housing, feeding, and transporting hundreds of dancers who sometimes couldn't communicate in English, the team persevered. Their dedication and resolve made it possible to turn their dream into a remarkable achievement.

The inaugural Folkfest was genuinely exceptional, featuring a fantastic lineup of 12 performances and four folk parades with the participation of 460 dancers from 13 different countries. It was a remarkable achievement for the festival, making history by becoming the most significant folk festival in the United States. The festival's success was evident as it attracted a staggering number of around 43,000 patrons. On one particular evening, the festival's founders were filled with pride as they witnessed a packed audience of more than 5,000 people, a testament to their hard work and determination. Overall, the event was a resounding success and set a high standard for future Folkfests.

The project proposal was met with great success after the festival's first year, garnering the support of Springville's City Council. The tireless dedication of numerous volunteers who selflessly contributed their time and effort made the project possible. The community of Springville also played a crucial role in the project's success by welcoming the dancers as host families. To prepare for the Folkfest, a stage was built over home plate in a baseball field situated northwest of Springville High School, which was a remarkable feat. The first-ever World Folkfest was then presented in August 1986, which was a significant achievement for everyone involved.

The first board of Folkfest was established in 1987 with George Frandsen as president and board members Brent Haymond, Mary Bee Jensen, Kris Harrington, Dennis Hill, Bruce Olsen, Karl Allred, Colleen Drollinger, Delora Bertelsen, Pete Roundy, and Bart Skinner.

Folkfest performed in costly Salt Lake County venues such as the Capitol Theater and Symphony Hall in its early years. Eventually, all performances came to be presented in Springville.

After its first successful year, World Folkfest moved to the football and soccer fields of Springville High School, with temporary stages built yearly for the event. In inclement weather, performances were shifted to the Springville High School Auditorium. Later, a new venue called Spring Acres Arts Park became available, providing a natural outdoor amphitheater setting. The park, located northeast of Springville High School, is aptly named after the springs that bubbled up from the ground. The park's natural shelter, with a hill and mature trees on one side, made it the perfect location for the event. Springville City took charge of the development, creating a space that showcased the beauty of the surrounding area.

Arts Park became the permanent abode of Folkfest in 1991, thanks to the cooperation with Springville City, which constructed a tailor-made concrete stage. The stage was built considering the fest's specific needs, with two additional stages on either side. This setup enabled the live bands to perform on one end while preparations were underway for the next performance on the other. The stage construction was a constructive step that made the Folkfest experience even more enjoyable for its attendees.

The Arts Park has come a long way since its festival and municipality’s cooperative inception, as each year, improvements are made to make it a better place. Initially, the stage was made of concrete only, but now it boasts towering poles supporting lighting and sound equipment. The famous blue canopy was added to protect performers from weather conditions, and the sound cables were buried, making the sound equipment a permanent fixture. Springville city employees work hard to maintain the grounds, and the permanent bleacher seating addition offers audiences a comfortable experience. Notably, the permanent sound booth built and the new building that houses restrooms, a ticket booth, and a first aid area ensure that the Arts Park remains safe and enjoyable for all visitors.

The tragic events of 9/11 had a profound impact on the Folkfest, as it became increasingly difficult for dance groups to obtain visas and attend the event. As if that wasn't enough, financial instability around the globe made it even more challenging for groups to afford the trip, which led to a decline in the number of participating groups. Unfortunately, the situation was so dire that the Folkfest had to be canceled in 2007 due to a lack of groups. It must have been heartbreaking for the event's organizers and fans. However, despite these challenges, the Folkfest community persevered and brought the event back in 2008 with renewed determination. They searched tirelessly to find new dance groups to participate in, and their hard work paid off as the event has been growing in popularity ever since. The Folkfest remains a testament to the resilience of people dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity through music and dance, and we can't wait for it to continue bringing joy for years to come.

The World Folkfest has been making significant efforts to foster positive relationships with other members of the Council for International Folk Festivals (CIOFF) by actively collaborating with them to organize folk dance festivals in the Intermountain West region. The partnership with festivals like the Summerfest International Art and Folk Festival in Bountiful and the Magic Valley Folk Festival in Burley, Idaho, has enabled the dancers and musicians to participate in multiple festivals while traveling internationally, creating a more rewarding and fulfilling experience. This collaborative approach has also allowed all participants a more diverse and inclusive festival experience.

Over the past thirty years, it has been a wonderful and enriching experience for hundreds of families from the local community to host dancers and musicians worldwide during the Folkfest. It's heartwarming to see how these strangers quickly become close friends within a short week of the festival. The goodbyes are often emotional, but the bonds forged during the Folkfest last for years to come. Many dancers returned years later to visit their host families, and some families even traveled to other countries to stay with the friends they made during the festival.

The Folkfest is a fantastic event that strives to foster love, acceptance, and mutual understanding among people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. By providing a platform where attendees can interact, share their stories, and form lasting bonds of friendship, the Folkfest offers a unique opportunity for individuals to broaden their horizons, gain valuable insights, and develop empathy toward others. Whether you're a participant or a spectator, the Folkfest promises to be a life-changing experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for humanity's rich diversity and the power of unity.