Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

The 25th Annual Lowell Folk Festival was held this weekend. It is the largest (or maybe 2nd largest) free folk festival in the nation attended by hundreds of thousands.  This year featured continuous music on six outdoor stages. Performers represented folk, bluegrass, gospel, world music and dance. It is a family friendly event with an international array of folk music, ethnic foods, craftspeople and artisans, as well as kid’s activities.

This year's weather was beyond extraordinary - mid 80's with low humidity and a good breeze blowing.  Past year's have often been hot, humid, no wind, and too many people too close together.  It was a glorious summer day in New England.

A western swing and Texas fiddling band at one of the six performance stages.  Notice all the hats in the audience, more on hat/ no-hat later.......

The crowd at the Boardinghouse Park stage awaiting the start of an Irish band........

A popular group from Rajasthan in northwestern India.

Here's the hat/ no-hat debate in living color - I think the hat wins.

I have been to a number of festivals in my life but seeing a Burmese food booth is a first.

Thai food is always a popular option.

Another unusual booth.

When one considers the range of wonderful tastes represented from around the world, it is interesting to note our North American contribution is Fried Dough - even the British have more exciting cuisine.

This was the largest dog seen at the event and he was quite the hit.

You won't believe how many times the mother of this child shrieked at him to get out of the fountain - he was not persuaded and she could not physically reach him so she shouted many empty threats to the great entertainment of the other bemused adults watching (including me).  Whatever consequences he may have faced later did not outweigh his fun at the moment - ahhh, to be a kid and live in the moment.......... 

And last but not least, I must note the obvious violation of the expected human male dress code:  black knee socks with velcro-closure black shoes on spindly white legs are not authorized when wearing shorts -EVER!! - regardless of how old you are (except at Halloween parties).