Maryland Folk Festival Returns

SALISBURY, Md. — It’s a night many have been waiting for: The Maryland Folk Festival is finally here.

Caroline O’Hare, festival director for the City of Salisbury, said, “We are hustling. We’ve been out here since early morning, but we’re in a good spot.”

Volunteers, food vendors and event staff scrambled to set up before the music began at 6 p.m. Friday.

“We’re just checking things off the boxes and making sure that we’re going to have a happy, safe, fun festival weekend,” O’Hare said.

The first day of the Folk Festival kicked off with a special surprise. O’Hare said, “We have the Aqua String Band, which is this legendary Mummers band in full costume and makeup and everything. And they’re going to come down the plaza to the produce stage and they’re going to perform in the crowd and have a lot of fun.”

Mogan’s is in a prime spot for all the action — right in the middle of it all.

Margaret Dempsey, assistant manager at Mogan’s, said, “You get to see all different kinds of cultural expressions, music, events. It’s wonderful. We are excited for people outside of town to come into town and see everything Salisbury has to offer.”

A new bar in town is also ready to join in on the fun. The Bury Tavern sits at the other end of the Folk Festival footprint. Jordan Townsend, owner of The Bury Tavern, said, “Since we just started up this summer, I’m really excited to get our first taste of a big downtown festival here in Salisbury.”

Both eateries are participating in the TAPS program, which allows visitors to sip and stroll or take a break from all the dancing. “We’re ready to welcome thousands and thousands of people. And I hope everyone enjoys what we’re bringing to them this weekend,” O’Hare said.

Townsend shared the same sentiment: “There’s a lot going on down here. So if you don’t have anything else to do, get your butt up and come downtown.”