59th ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL GOES ON...LINE AUG 13-16th

Presenting 169 Acts * Over 4 Nights * On 3 Stages * From 8 Countries
TONIGHT: Elephant Sessions and Doom Flamingo
Tickets Available @ Folkfest.org

[Aug 13, 2020 - Philadelphia] The Philadelphia Folk Festival officially KICKS OFF TONIGHT, Thursday, August 13th, with two very special performances on the Camp Stage, beginning at 8pm. The 59th event occurs this weekend, Aug 13-16, 2020. In years past, Thursday Is always a whirlwind of activity as campers move into their weekend quarters at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, and scores of artists begin arriving and the excitement builds. In order to stay safe and stay home this year, we have taken PFF59 entirely online. 

This year is different in form, but not in substance, as we are once again caught up in a flurry of preparation, the last minute details, setting up and connecting with the scores of artists as they share set information with fans, and assisting our loyal and constant supporters as they fire up their viewing devices, gather their companions, and settle in for a fantastic weekend of folk music, fun, and fellowship.

The Thursday Camp Stage is ON TONIGHT. Weekend ticket buyers will have access to Thursday evening programming, The night kicks off on the beloved Camp Stage at 8pm with Elephant Sessions from Scotland followed by South Carolina’s Doom Flamingo at 8:35pm, and then on to the Campfire Open Mic at 10pm, which will repeat on Friday and Saturday nights. The  Campfire winning performance will be offered the opportunity to perform at the 60th Annual PFF in 2021.

The Philadelphia Folk Festival celebrates its 59th Annual event online, Aug 13-16, 2020. This summer’s hottest digital festival promises an extraordinary, once in a lifetime experience to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home or social bubble. The festival is proud to feature 169 artists spanning eight countries, playing more than 100 hours of music, includes Special tributes to Gene Shay and PFF alumni, John Prine, and a special presentation of the Woody Guthrie Prize to musical legend Joan Baez.

This year, the fabled Martin Stage presents a stellar lineup of top performers, featuring: Adia Victoria;  Allen Stone; Amythyst Kiah; Aoife O'Donovan; Ben Gibbard ; Billy Bragg; Birds of Chicago; Buffy Sainte-Marie; Chris Smither; Courtney Marie Andrews; Devon Gilfillian; Eric Bazilian;  Irish Mythen; Ivan Neville; John Flynn; Josh Ritter;  Los Lobos; Molly Tuttle; Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy; Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi; Richard Thompson; Robert Earl Keen ; Shakey Graves; Sierra Ferrell; Steve Forbert; Susan Werner, Talisk , Teddy Thompson; Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines; The Lone Bellow; The Milk Carton Kids; Tom Rush; Trixie Mattel; Watkins Family Hour. 

On the Camp Stage, PFF welcomes seven international partner organizations, each presenting a stellar lineup. Culture Ireland, National Arts Centre (Canada), Showcase Scotland Expo, Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous (Canada), SORI (South Korea), and  Wales Arts International - Celfyddydau Rhyngwladol Cymru. And, dozens of Delaware Valley artists will be showcased on the Front Porch Stage.

The Festival runs for 12 hours per day, kicking off with some stages beginning at 10am and others at noon, please visit folkfest.org/lineup/schedule/ for exact times by stage and day. All ticket holders will have exclusive access to festival footage and other bonus content for up to 7 days post festival (Aug 24, 2020.)

Thursday night kicks off on the beloved Camp Stage at 8pm with Elephant Sessions followed by Doom Flamingo at 8:30pm and then the Campfire Open Mic at 10pm, repeating on Friday and Saturday nights. The winning performance will be offered the opportunity to perform at the 60th Annual PFF in 2021.

All ticket holders, both weekend or single day, will enjoy all three stages, The Martin, Camp Stage and Front Porch, fully integrated chat features, campfire open mics, Zoom campsites, food and merchandise tents and you can even pause, or return to watch something you’ve missed.

Watching the Festival is easy, it can be streamed on any device with a web browser. For those not sure how to stream online, or for any other questions about “how to”, we have over 20 PFS volunteers answering live chat questions in real time at folkfest.org, making set up a breeze for any skill level. 

The platform went live on Aug 4th and weekend ticket purchasers were invited to #checkyourtech by logging in and "test driving" the platform by watching festival footage. Tech volunteers are standing by to help viewers log in, navigate the site or set up their equipment, just click the NEED HELP button at folkfest.org. 

A SINGLE DAY TICKET $25 grants access to one day of programming, all stages, includes all ticket holder benefits; plus access to PFS festival footage for up to 7 days post fest. Logins work on one device at a time. Single day ticket purchasers do not have access to Thursday’s kick off show(s).
Purchase here: https://folkfest.org/buy-tickets/
View schedule by day/stage: https://folkfest.org/lineup/schedule/

$25 USD per day, purchase tickets by day for:
Fri - Aug 14 
Sat - Aug 15 
Sun - Aug 16 
MEDIA → Download PDF of daily schedules / posters here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GS4-pVe5HGSjQRtXctKfuRXBzKxA1VlN?usp=sharing

$75 FULL WEEKEND TICKET (Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun), Aug 13-16, 2020 Provides access to festival footage from date of purchase (after Aug 4), plus access to Thursday’s #PFF59 exclusive special show, along with all ticket holder benefits, including continued access for 7 days post fest. Logins work on one device at a time. Weekend ticket holders are granted an all access pass to all shows, streams and fun. 
Purchase here: https://folkfest.org/buy-tickets/
View schedule by day/stage: https://folkfest.org/lineup/schedule/

While the technology to deliver this year’s event may be new, the indomitable spirit and culture of the Philadelphia Folk Festival is nearly six decades old. Since its inception, the Festival has been produced nearly exclusively by tireless volunteers. Sheer determination and moxie led to the first event in 1962, and the same can be said of this year's 59th version. Now, we’re able to welcome our extended Folk Family from around the world, simultaneously continuing vital traditions while creating entirely new ways of connecting and communing.

Presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, the Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest continuously run outdoor music festival in North America. Founded in 1962, the 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Global Digital Edition occurs August 13-16, 2020. This year #PFF59 takes place online, find out more and #festinplace at folkfest.org. Follow PFF on facebook and instagram @PhiladelphiaFolkFestival and on twitter @folkPhilly.