Summer is coming — strike up the band!

Parks' Folk & Traditional Arts Program hosts a full lineup of summer concerts and festivals

As June makes its grand entrance, many folks are excited to spend time in our parks and natural spaces. They’re eyeing their garages, spare rooms and storage closets, dragging out backpacks, boots, bicycles, jump ropes, horseshoes, camp stoves, kayaks and all the ingredients for a great outdoor season.

But, did you know WA state parks are also places to experience arts and culture?

Our Folk & Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) has been staging art, music and international events in our parks for 20 years! What started as an evening of fisher poetry at Fort Columbia in 2004 has blossomed into a lineup of summer concerts and festivals at more than 10 western and central state parks.

Outdoor concerts

After a hot day of hiking, biking, exploring or mowing the lawn at home, not much says “relaxation” like a summer concert on the beach or next to an alpine lake!

This year, the long-loved American Roots concert series at Deception Pass, the Waikiki Beach concerts at Cape Disappointment and the newer Mountain Melodies series at Lake Wenatchee are back!

But for 2024, FTAP also added a concert series at Lincoln Rock State Park, aptly named Rhythm on the River.

All four series feature musical traditions of the Pacific Northwest and their origins from around the world. The mostly local artists play folk and blues, Central and Latin American rhythms, Klezmer and Balkan —  to name a few. The bands may give an impromptu dance lesson, tell stories or demonstrate traditional instruments during the show. Prepare to be surprised!

Festivals

In addition to the concerts, FTAP continues to co-host several festivals each year.

We are continuing our longstanding events, including Salish Sea Day at Deception Pass on June 8, Skandia Midsommarfest at Saint Edward June 30, United Communities of Laos at Lake Sammamish July 27 (main header image) and the Cambodian Festival at Saltwater Aug. 10.  

We're also proud to support the second-annual Iu Mien Festival at at Lake Sammamish on Aug. 24.

This fall, a new event joins the lineup. Be sure to check out the Ubuntu Nerudo Southern African Heritage festival at Lake Sammamish on Sept. 1.

These festivals are put on by their communities and supported by FTAP. They feature traditional song, dance, art, textiles, fashion, food and friendship.

The festivals highlight many of the traditions that make up Washingtonian culture, from Indigenous groups that have lived here for time immemorial, to the early Scandinavian and Hispanic and Latino explorers, to the more recent immigrants who have made this state home.

The events are family-friendly and free to the public, though a Discover Pass is needed to park.

Fun, sun – and so much more!

Summer may be all about fun in the sun, but our FTAP supports Parks’ mission to connect Washingtonians with their cultural heritage, as well as with outdoor play.

Funded in part by grants from National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation, FTAP is integral to Parks’ core values of education; relationships with area tribes and community groups; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Plus, it provides tons of great entertainment and supports our recreation mission.

We’re proud to provide access to folk and world music, stories, history and cultural traditions throughout our state. Come join us for these events this summer and fall!