Newport Folk Festival 2010

Newport Folk Festival 2010 was one of the strongest of the decade. This American music festival has been celebrated in Newport , Rhode Island since its historic opening in 1959. At this festival, one can listen to not only folk music, but also blues, country and rock. George Wein is the one credited with pioneering the festival both the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival, both situated at Fort James State Park. Fort Adams State Park lies near Newport Harbor. This military fortress was first called Hammersmith. 

With the wave of the 1960s, ushering an era of liberation, the folk festival bloomed with the likes of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash performing. However, between 1971 and 1985, the heyday of the Newport Folk Festival ended because of a lack of funds to fan the flame of artistes and fans. Ever since 1985, the Newport Folk Festival has been up and running again. In its beginning stages, the folk festival was a non-profit endeavor but now, it has changed capitalizing on crowds and publicity. At first, the Newport Folk Festival was based on mainly folk music, but in recent years, the Newport Folk Festival has welcomed artistes from diverse vocal and musical ranges.   

At the Newport Folk Festival, one needs to pay attention to the list of festival regulations and policies to be followed such as one cooler per person, no alcohol, no animals, no recording gear, no running, no beach umbrellas, no glass bottles etc. To accommodate children, the family stage is available. The 2010 Newport Folk Festival erupted between July 30 to August 1 and marked 51 years since its initiation as a full-fledged music festival. On the agenda were artistes such as Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O'Brien, Sarah Jarosz, Yim Yames, Jim James, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Andrew Bird, The Swell Season, The Avett Brothers, Richie Havens, Justin Townes Earle, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Punch Brothers with Chris Thile, The Felice Brothers, Tao Seeger Band, Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three.  

In terms of venue, the International Tennis Hall of Fame was utilized in addition to the traditional Fort Adams State Park. Because of the eclectic harmony of artistes at the folk festival, folk music  as a whole, became redefined to include multiple cultures and genres of music, but which when merged was celebrated as part of American culture. Average cost per person was $69, however there are the early season specials where tickets go for about $50.