Glendale’s Office of Special Events is coordinating this year’s Glendale Folk and Heritage Festival, a celebration of folk music, its history and culture, on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Two-day jubilee features more than 400 performers.

Attracting local residents and regional visitors alike, the event is held every spring to foster an understanding and appreciation of traditional Arizona music and culture through experiential learning, performances and workshops. Drawing from a rich heritage of ranching, railroading and mining, the Folk and Heritage Festival allows attendees to experience the unique diversity of the Southwest.

The festival takes place at the city’s beautiful Historic Sahuaro Ranch, located at 9802 N. 59th Ave., and at Glendale Main Public Library, 5959 W. Brown St. The free event features folk and bluegrass music performed by more than 400 musicians, live cowboy poetry and authentic storytelling, with five stages of music throughout both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, three workshop areas will invite attendees to learn to play spoons, saws, ukuleles, harmonicas, swing guitar, pennywhistle, jug band, skiffle music, autoharps and more! Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian, will open the festival on Saturday morning, and he, along with other Culture Keepers named during Arizona’s Centennial, will present workshops with story and song that celebrate our state and its history during the festival. This long-running event attracts musicians from all across the United States, and will include performers from Ireland and Canada this year as well. Grammy winner Rick Nestler, formerly on the

Clearwater with Pete Seger and a member of the Hudson River Sloop Singers, will travel from New York to perform. Glendale’s own Ronnie Hazelett will appear, and Tucson’s Don Armstrong will be there. Igor Glenn, past member of the Christy Minstrels, whose musical résumé includes touring with Benny Goodman and John Denver, appearances on television and on PBS specials, will also perform. Local radio DJ Blaise Lantana will make an appearance and also conduct a workshop, the Arizona Songwriters Association will be represented, along with numerous local songwriters.

Other activities will include historic site tours, blacksmith demonstrations, workshops, and musician "jam sessions."

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Some seating is available, however, attendees are advised to bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

For more information about times and listings of entertainment and activities, please visit www.glendaleaz.com/events or call 623-930-2820.