Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival returns to Geneva
Juel Ulven of Aurora, the founder and chief organizer of the Fox Valley Folklore Society and its annual Folk Music and Storytelling Festival, is not a performer, although, he says with a chuckle, "I've been known to tell stories on occasion."
Ulven, who prefers to work behind the scenes, is proud of the depth and variety of performers featured at this year's Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival.
"We're the largest folk festival in Illinois," he said. "We present a pretty wide range of music that you don't usually get to see in this area."
The 39th annual festival, which takes place Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6-7, on Island Park in Geneva, will feature several free preview performances on Saturday, Sept. 5, in downtown Geneva.
The free performances include:
• Family Story Time with Marie Ringenberg - 10 a.m. at Playhouse 38, 524 W. State St.
• The Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr., 1 p.m. at the Geneva Public Library's Literary Garden, 127 James St.
• Dennis Stroughmatt El L'Sprit Creole, 2 p.m. at the Kane County Historic Courthouse lawn, Third and James streets
• Claudia Schmidt, 3:30 p.m. at the Kane County Historic Courthouse lawn; and
• Lee Murdock and Friends, 6 p.m. at Dodson Place, Third and Fulton streets.
Also on Saturday is the popular live WFMT radio broadcast, featuring several performers in a "Midnight Special" concert, from 7 to 9 p.m. at 102 S. Second St.
"The radio broadcast is from the beautiful 173-year-old Unitarian church," Ulven said. "We've sold out every year. The funny thing is, people start listening at home and then they come to the church." Tickets are $15-$20.
But the main event is the festival itself, which will feature 36 musicians and storytellers performing on eight stages.
For those who have never been to the festival, Ulven has some advice.
"First-timers will often just go to main stage and sit and listen, but then you miss a lot," he said. "The best thing to do (when you arrive) is to stop at the donation booth, get the program schedule, and find out what's happening."
By taking time to review the schedule, Ulven says, you can "see new stuff you never knew existed."
Ulven said some of the crowd-pleasers include Irish musicians, as well as the Chicago Sacred Harp singers who lead audiences in shape note singing.
At a Sacred Harp Singers performance, Ulven said, you can "sit down and learn to read sheet music in 15 minutes."
"They do that in the pavilion. It's a "wall of sound" experience."
The fun continues into the evening on Sunday with the Old-Time Community Barn Dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and then Ghost Stories from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Main Stage tent.
All that singing and listening can leave audiences hungry and thirsty. Ulven said food will be sold on site, although festivalgoers are welcome to bring their own food and drink or leave to dine elsewhere and return to the park. Alcohol is not allowed.
"The festival runs in a public park," Ulven said. "We have donation booths at either end. We hope they pay the donation, but there's nobody twisting their arm."
The suggested donation for admission is $20 for adults, $15 for teens and seniors and free for children age 12 and under. People can get a $5 discount for purchasing tickets for both days. Patrons also can purchase a family admission for $45 per day.
The festival is sponsored by the Fox Valley Folklore Society, the Geneva Park District and the City of Geneva. For details, call Ulven at (630) 897-3655 or visit foxvalleyfolk.com.
If you go
What: 39th annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6-7, with preview events on Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Island Park, 2 E. State St., Geneva
Admission: $20 for adults, $15 for teens and seniors (65 and older) and free for children age 12 and younger. A family admission is $45 per day.
Details: <a href="http://foxvalleyfolk.com">foxvalleyfolk.com</a>; (630) 897-0061