Midland Dulcimer FestivalPresented by the Folk Music Society of Midland The
16TH ANNUAL festival will be held August 27 through August 30, 2009.The location will the
Midland County Fairgrounds, 6905 Eastman Road, Midland, MI 48640
Workshops
You can review the whole program from the 2008 festival so you can see what goes on and plan to come in August:
2008 Workshop Program
Registration of workshops for the festival is now underway. If you have been a workshop leader at the Midland Dulcimer Festival, you should have received a message from Margaret Loper, who is in charge of Workshops for the festival. Margaret's message contains the details for getting into the "password protected" area to submit your classes.
Password Protected Workshop Registration Area
The festival charged a very affordable amount: $4 a day or $7 for the entire event. Camping was an additional $15 nightly.
Members of the Folk Music Society received free admission.
Photos of 2007 Midland Dulcimer Festival
Click on any of the thumbnails photos to see a larger version of the picture.
(Once you have opened a large version, you can go from large photo to photo using the arrows at the top.)
If you'd rather stay at a motel. There are several close to the fairgrounds:
Fairview Inn - 989-631-0070
Hampton Inn - 989-837-4000
The New Holiday Inn of Midland - 989-794-8500
Sleep Inn - 989-837-1010
You won't believe the end of the Picks and Sticks act at the 2006 Saturday night stage show (which was repeated in 2008). Yes, that's Bruno, the chihuahua, "singing" with Morgan to "Cattle Call." (Note: If you have a slow connection, it may take a while to download this video because even though it's only 16 seconds long, it's a huge file. Windows Media Player should have no problem playing the clip.) Video of Bruno SINGING!!!
If you see photos of previous years, it will give you a good idea of what to expect in 2009. The fun, the friendships, the education, the music, all fit together to make this an event that is a "must-attend" for many dulcimer musicians so mark your calendar for August 27-30, 2009. Photos of the Festival
The sites at the fairgrounds are plentiful and many are shady. (You don't need a reservation.) All sites have access to electricity. An instructed traditional country dance was held Friday evening and we anticipate the same format in 2008. Both Friday and Saturday, there will be lots of workshops at all levels, covering many acoustic instruments. For those who enjoy performing or watching others perform, there will be many open mic periods. Saturday evening festival-goers will enjoy a great main stage show, as well as a Sunday a gospel show. Free vendoring of music related items will be allowed at campsites (no additional fee). If you need directions to the Fairgrounds: Just look at any Michigan map and find Midland. Eastman Road is a major exit (the most northernly one.) You can figure it out from this actual aerial picture. Note: the red lettering is hard to read but says: "Service Drive to Fairgrounds." 
Midland Dulcimer Festival
2009 (Tentative) Schedule of Events Wednesday - August 26, 2009
Campers start to arrive.
Jammers can join Subterranean Strings in a jam at Haithco Park in Saginaw (7:00-9:00) Thursday - August 27, 2009
Informal Jamming and Open Stage.
6:00 p.m. - Evening Potluck
Continue Open Stage Friday - August 28, 2009 -
9:00 a.m. - Workshops and Vending Begins
2:00 p.m. - Open Stage Performances
7:00 - Traditional Country Dance.
Jammin' until ??? Saturday - August 29, 2009
9:00 - Workshops Begin
2:00-5:00 - Stage Show
6:15 p.m. - Pre-Show
6:45 p.m. - Evening Stage Show
Jammin' until ?? Sunday - August 30, 2009
9:00 a.m. - Gospel Open Stage
Noon - Festival Ends
Below is a photo of a Saturday night pre-show with Jolly Hammers and Strings (and friends) performing at the Midland Dulcimer Festival.
 For further information e-mail festivals@folkmusicsociety.org
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