For the first time since 2019, the International Folk Fest is returning to Murfreesboro. Featuring live dancing from groups from around the world, the Folk Fest is a culturally immersive and entertaining experience. This year, dancers from the United States, Poland, Mexico and France will participate.

In past years, the festival has featured choreography from many dance groups from across the globe. From June 4–11, the Cripple Creek Cloggers will host this year’s multinational dance troupes. Throughout the week, international groups will perform for area schools, youth and senior citizen organizations and for civic clubs, according to International Folk Fest organizers.

The week will culminate with Friday public performances held at The Grove at Williamson Family Farm. This year will mark the 40th International Folk Fest, and The Grove expects to host a large crowd for the dance group’s anniversary event. Food trucks, adult beverages and an onsite farmstand will be accessible for audiences on Friday, June 9. This year, the International Folkloric Society will be hosting the local Cripple Creek Cloggers (who have been performing around the world since 1973), the Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles & Mariachi Garibaldi (representing Mexico), LA Bourréede Paris (from France), and Poland’s Zespół Tańca Ludowego UMCS Tańce Lubelskie. This is the first time in 25 years that Poland has participated in the International Folkfest, and the Folkloric Society is proud to host them and their fellow dancers.

“The guest folk troupes will be joined by the festival hosts, Rutherford County’s Cripple Creek Cloggers, and The Slim Chance Band, including local performers, Rob Pearcy, Donovan Carpenter, Avent Lane and Sarah Rose Harris, for performances at The Grove at Williamson Family Farm at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9,” according to festival organizer Steve Cates.

Cates encourages the visiting participants to tour local cultural and historical sites, immersing themselves in the hospitality of Tennessee culture. In fact, the groups will be staying in the dorms at MTSU during their stay, and each group will have its own guide showing them around the region.

“We continue, as we did in 1982, to help our area residents learn about countries which they may never visit,” Cates said. “We also hope that local folks will understand how much we are alike, no matter where we live on this planet. Our festival theme has always been, ‘let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.’”

He said plans are already underway for the 2024 Folk Fest, with entertainers from Latvia, England, Japan and Puerto Rico scheduled to appear.

2023 International Folk Fest Public Performances

​​Tuesday, June 6
Linebaugh Public Library
105 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro
10 a.m.
Poland
Free to the public​

South Jackson Civic Center
404 S. Jackson St., Tullahoma
7 p.m.
All groups
$5
931-455-4045​​

​Thursday, June 8
​Smyrna Public Library
400 Enon Springs Rd. W., Smyrna
10 a.m.
France
Free to the public
615-459-4884

​​Bell Buckle Banquet Hall
27 Railroad Sq., Bell Buckle
6 p.m.
All groups
Free to the public
931-389-0223​

Friday, June 9
The Grove at Williamson Family Farm
3050 Wilkinson Pk., Murfreesboro
1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
All groups
Free
615-995-6682