Folk artists jam along the Fox

While musicians armed with electric guitars and stacks of amplifiers took to the stage at community festivals in Naperville and Schaumburg this weekend, music lovers in Geneva enjoyed some quieter, but no less compelling, melodies.

Dozes of professional and amateur performers made their way Sunday to Island Park along the Fox River for the 39th annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival.

"We're the largest folk festival in Illinois," said Juel Ulven of Aurora, the event's founder and chief organizer. "We present a pretty wide range of music that you don't usually get to see in this area."

The fest, which continues Monday, showcases 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 the 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."

Sunday's opening day included an Old-Time Community Barn Dance followed by Ghost Stories in the Main Stage tent.

The festival is sponsored by the Fox Valley Folklore Society, the Geneva Park District and the city of Geneva.