The Ferdinand Folk Festival takes place on September 19, 2026, at 18th Street Park in Ferdinand, Indiana.
2026 MUSIC LINEUP
The Last Revel – Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Americana/indie-folk outfit harkens to the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of what it means to pursue your dreams in real time. The foundation of which is conjured by a deep appreciation and genuine respect for the vast landscape and sometimes-harsh realities of what it means to emerge from the Midwest. Guitarist Lee Henke, banjoist Ryan Acker, and fiddler Vinnie Donatelle formed The Last Revel in 2011. “The name comes from the idea of saying, ‘One last go, one last celebration,’” Henke recalls.
John Németh and the Blue Dreamers – We are bringing some Blues to the Folk Fest! According to Blues Blast Magazine, “One of the best vocalists working today, John Németh has received a multitude of nominations for Blues Blast and Blues Music Awards, with four consecutive BMA nominations for the B.B King Entertainer Of The Year Award. His live shows highlight his dynamic stage presence, super-tight band.
Candi Jenkins: A singer-songwriter from Fayette County, Kentucky, Candi is making her mark in the country music scene. Kin to Conway Twitty, her music emanates an authenticity that reflects the heart of the Bluegrass State. Her music, which blends classic country with fresh modern influences, speaks of her connection to her Kentucky roots. Songs like “Wild Blue” and “God Don’t Care” showcase her raw, genuine approach to songwriting, and her live performances have already earned her a growing following.
Valley Flower: This 5 piece string band based in Austin, Texas, blends Appalachian bluegrass with country, folk, and jam influences. Known for powerful songwriting and high-energy live performances, they have become staples in the Texas Americana scene, featuring members who met playing in Virginia, North Carolina, and Minnesota.
March to August: Having performed at the 2023 Ferdinand Folk Festival, this string duo comprised of Derrick and Jodi Mears based in the Ozark Mountains, makes a return trip to the Main Stage. Known for storytelling, thought-provoking lyrics, and intricate instrumentation, their roots-driven style melds elements of Americana, Alt-Country, and Bluegrass genres on music with powerful songwriting.
Hayley Payne: Born and raised in western Kentucky, Hayley Payne is an authentic, vivacious girl-next-door who has had music in her blood for as long as she can remember. A CMA (Country Music Association) Member and a finalist in the 2022 International Songwriting Competition, Payne is immersing herself in the Nashville music scene. Hayley will be making her third overall appearance at the Folk Fest, and first since 2016.
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About Ferdinand Folk Festival
Nestled among the hills and fields of southwestern Indiana, the Ferdinand Folk Festival, set in a beautiful 18th Street Park, provides a unique, family and earth-friendly opportunity for people from the region to share a day of live music, art, and environmental/wellness education.
Art
The shaded lawn of the art market is a festival in itself. Dozens of regional artists and artisans display and sell their handmade work while music fills the air. Pottery, photography, clothing, jewelry, Fair Trade items from Third World countries, recycled goods, hula hoops, baked goods, soaps, tie-dyed items, woodworking, and more grace the grounds. A Plein air painter might even set up an easel to capture some of the magic of the festival.
Environment and Wellness
In the center of the art market are about 15 – 20 environmental and community groups—one of the region’s largest assemblies of ecology, nature, health, and wellness educators, including solar energy installers, air quality authorities, forest advocates, LGBTQ awareness/support organizations, astronomers, pet caretakers, organic farmers, music, art, festival, and theatre promoters, and more. Each group is dedicated to creating vibrant communities and a sustainable environment for our children—seven generations from now.
Children’s Events
To honor the children, in and around the lower shelter house, organizers offer a full day of fun and educational programs specifically for the young ones, such as a children’s concert, live theatre, wildlife programs, holding or petting animals, pony rides, storytelling, a harmonica workshop, interactive art, a violin concert, an MLK-inspired Dream Wall, and more. Nearby, across a small bridge, is a state-of-the-art playground with a new “musical park”, a nearby big-bounce “Playtown”, face-painting, and more. Children might even have an opportunity to hold a live animal, handle and play a violin, participate in an interactive storytelling activity, a children’s play, take a train ride through the park, or a pony ride.
Eco-Friendly, Healthful Living
Each year, the festival offers a variety of educational, eco-friendly activities such as meeting regional solar energy installers, solar home tours in the neighborhood, meeting doctors sharing facts about our region’s air quality and health concerns about Indiana’s bottom-ranking environmental record, seeing a new Tesla, enjoying giant renewable energy puppets, touring a tiny house, morning, before-the-festival activities like yoga, Tai Chi, a hike, or a bike ride before the festival, etc.
For more information about the Ferdinand Folk Festival, click here.
