Planning in the works for National Folk Festival 2021, city will adapt based on CDC requirements

SALISBURY, Md.- After having to go virtual last year for the National Folk Festival, the City of Salisbury is prepping for all scenarios, while planning this year.

We’re told normally during this time the city and the National Council for the Traditional Arts would be coordinating with system supervisors and committees, receiving vendor bids, and booking artists.

But this year, we are told while they hope to bring some in-person experience, they have to be willing to adapt as the ongoing pandemic unfolds.

“So that’s where we are, is trying to develop as many scenarios as possible that can potentially hold the test of time and as we learn more about our budget, learn more about the vaccine, and we get the return of the Mayor, that when we look ahead to September we might be able to envision an event that will be safe and enjoyable for all,” Lora Bottinelli, Executive Director of the National Council Traditional Arts, said.

We are told the scenarios they are planning are guided by the CDC requirements.

They add that the City of Salisbury secured the festival for three years and 2020 was supposed to be the final year.

Instead, they deferred that third year to 2021 and are optimistic they can host an event celebrating the milestone.