The NEFFA Festival (also known as The New England Folk Festival) is a fabulous blend of dance, music, crafts, and food from many lands. The 2010 Festival, our 66th annual Festival, is likely (but as yet unconfirmed) to be held on April 23-25 2010 in Mansfield, Massachusetts (near Boston). One of the things that makes the Festival special is that all performers donate their talents as volunteers.

What happens at the Festival?

• Lots and lots of people attend; from near and far - We always have a good turnout from the west coast, Michigan, Pennsylvania,

  Swirling Dancers in the Main Hall Photo by Joe Peidle

  New Jersey, New York, Canada, all the New England states, and points in between. Many visitors travel from overseas!

• Participatory Dance - A lot of contra and traditional square dancing, International Folk Dancing, dancing from specific regions, couple dancing, swing dancing, clogging, etc. All levels of expertise are featured. Particular favorites are the contra dance medleys, originated at the NEFFA Festival (we believe).

• Dance performances - Costumed ethnic performing groups have been a part of NEFFA since the beginning. Some performances are done in the round (in the Main Hall, a large gym), or on stage (in the Auditorium). About a dozen morris teams dance outside the High School the day on Saturday and Sunday -- a welcoming sight to new and returning Festival-goers alike. Find your favorite team in our Morris Spotter's Guide.

• Food - About a dozen or so booths serve food from all nations. The food is very good. Prices vary from "Good Value" to "Expensive" (but a good value, compared to restaurants). Come hungry! Breakfast foods are available Saturday and Sunday AM. Here's a list of the vendors.

• Music - Music everywhere! Jam sessions in the halls, instrument workshop sessions, performances of folk music, singing...turn the corner and more music greets your ears. Bring your instruments! Free instrument checking is provided (but no overnight storage). The South Room will be available on a sign-up basis for rehearsals and jam sessions.

• Crafts - Handmade items are for sale in the crafts room. Demonstrations of craftsmanship happen frequently. Here's a list of the vendors.

• Bazaar - Books, records, CD's, clothing, etc. all for sale in the Bazaar area in the corridors. The Performer Sales Table has items for sale by NEFFA performers; NEFFA souvenirs are on sale here. Here's a list of the vendors.

• The Activity Room - A hands-on room for kids and adults!

• Discussion Sessions - Dance callers, administrators, and dancers all get together to talk about areas of interest. The Festival attracts lots of callers, musicians, and event producers--it's a great opportunity to network.

• Family Events - Dancing, singing, storytelling, puppets, etc. Here's a schedule! Here is more information that families with young children might need.

• The NEFFA Annual Meeting - Meet the Board, provide feedback, ask questions.

Daily Schedules

The schedules for the upcoming 2009 Festival are here.

Tell me...

Where: Mansfield, Mass., High and Middle Schools. How to Get There

If you are willing to carpool or need a ride, then check this out!

When and how much: Check this out

Why: Because it's fun!

Special notes

• Access to Events and Activities at the Festival -- You will find an Access Guide in the Lobby and at the Hospitality Table. The Guide describes access services and includes a Festival map highlighting special routes to rooms for people using wheelchairs. Please contact Hospitality if you need assistance with access to a program or activity. The Access Guide is also available in large-print and braille formats.

  Large print grids are available in the Lobby and at the Hospitality Table (be sure to check the wall grids for last-minute schedule changes).

  NEFFA can provide ASL interpreting at certain events upon advance application, and will have a limited number of Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) available at certain events. For more information or suggestions, contact the NEFFA office. Requests for use of an ALD or ASL services should be made in writing to the NEFFA office (PMB 282, 1770 Massachusetts Av., Cambridge, MA 02140) by March 1st. See this page for more access information.

• No animals other than dogs assisting the disabled are allowed on the Festival grounds.
• Videotaping and Audio Recording - NEFFA policy is to allow video- and audio-taping for personal use only. Please resepect performers' requests to have recording devices turned off during their session.
• Food must be eaten in the cafeteria, and is not permitted in any of the other rooms or the hallways of the High School. (Be aware that vendors (who need to be at their booth) and Festival staff who must be at certain volunteer posts while eating have been given exemptions from this restriction.) Sealed water bottles, such as sports bottles, are permitted, but must remain sealed when not in use.
• The New England Folk Festival Association, its agents, servants and employees do not assume any liability for any damage, theft, or other loss ot your vehicle or your property that occurs as a result of parking your vehicle in any of the lots that are designated for Festival use.
• Overnight parking is not permitted in any of the lots used for Festival parking.
• No tobacco use is allowed on on school grounds.
• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Events coded "F" are designed for you and your children to participate in together.
• NEFFA encourages all dancers to exercise care in their dancing. The New England Folk Festival Association, its agents, servants and employees do not assume any liability for any injuries that may be sustained due to the condition of the halls or the dancing.
• Don't leave valuables unattended at the Festival.
• To reach the Festival site in an emergency, or for Festival Lost and Found, call (508) 229-2854.
• Lost and Found notices can be made with our on-line form.

Other Important Details

• How to Get to the Festival
• Lodging Information
• If you want to be put up at someone's house or if you have room for folks to stay at your house, then check out our on-line Housing Form!
• Contact NEFFA for answers to other questions or to get a hardcopy Festival Flyer

Getting Involved

Behind-the-scenes

NEFFA works year-round for Festival planning, dance productions, grants and a number of other purposes. There are frequently positions available on the Festival Committee and the NEFFA Board for interested people. Contact Robert Golder at "RobertGolder ATSIGN comcast DOT net" you are interested in getting involved.

As a Festival Performer

If you are interested in performing on a volunteer basis at the Festival, you can fill out an on-line application. Applications are available here in September with a due date in October. Email chair Linda Leslie (laleslierjg ATSIGN comcast DOT net) if you have specific questions.

As a Festival Volunteer

The Festival runs as well as it does because of the efforts of hundreds of Festival volunteers. You can earn free admission by volunteering. Check out our volunteering page!

As a Housing Host

You can rescue of out-of-towners looking for a place to stay. Register with our on-line Housing Form. If it is after the application deadline, just stop by the Hospitality Table at the Festival.

• Folk Bazaar - Items for sale not made by seller. (For example: recordings, clothing items, musical accessories, etc.) Contact: Angie Taylor at +1-781-646-8549.
• Food Court - Contact: Koren Wake at koren.a.wake ATSIGN gmail DOT com
• Crafts Room - Items for sale hand-made by seller. See this page for information.

Arriving Early?

On Thursday, there's a contra dance in Concord, and an Experienced International Folk Dance in Watertown.

Hanging Around?