The American Folk Festival

Bangor Daily News, 8/24/06 - Folk fest organizers optimistic: "The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront is a three-year commitment on the part of the city, and while everyone agrees that it's 'here to stay,' no one encourages seeing the festival as a 'sure thing.'

"As Ryder pointed out, it takes work.

"Three full-time staff members are employed throughout the year, and 750 volunteers help at the festival, which has a budget of about $1 million.

"'Once the festival changes from a novelty to part of the fabric of the community, it has reached a new level of permanence, at least in our expectations,' said Heather McCarthy, executive director of the American. 'If people know to count on us, it can be a positive thing. But they need to realize that we don't need to raise the money once. We need to raise it every year. If people assume it will happen, they may not step forward to make it happen.'

"McCarthy said she keeps her eye on three possible plateaus that could level off in the course of time: attendance, enthusiasm and funding."