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SHOW DESCRIPTION

The 83rd National Folk Festival returns to Downtown Jackson November 13–15 for year two of its three-year residency, with more than 300 artists across six stages, and it’s all free. In this Soul Sessions Extra, Paul Wolf walks you through everything you need to know before you go. That includes what you’ll see and hear, from Mavis Staples and Jerry Douglas to the Mississippi Folklife Area’s “Mississippi Flavor” theme, plus Thursday’s Thacker Mountain Radio Hour kickoff at Hal & Mal’s. Paul also covers free parking at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, JTRAN shuttle hours, street closures, and what to leave at home. It’s the festival guide, made for listening instead of reading.

TRANSCRIPT

PAUL:

Three days, six stages, more than 300 artists, and it won’t cost you a dime. The National Folk Festival is back in Downtown Jackson, and I’ve got everything you need to know before you go. Hey, it’s Paul Wolf with a front row seat to conversations on culture from Jackson, Mississippi. We call our podcast Soul Sessions. It’s the people, places, and events that make the City With Soul shine. This is a Soul Sessions Extra, so grab a coffee and let’s plan your weekend.

WHAT IT IS

First, a little background. The National Folk Festival is America’s longest-running celebration of the people, cultures, and living traditions that make this country what it is. It’s been traveling from city to city since 1934, and it’s always been free. Mississippi artists have played its stages for decades, but Jackson is the festival’s first stop in the Deep South. That makes a lot of sense when you think about how much American culture was born right here, from Delta blues to HBCU marching bands.

This is the 83rd National Folk Festival, and it’s year two of a three-year residency in Downtown Jackson. It runs Friday through Sunday, November 13 through 15.

WHAT YOU’LL SEE AND HEAR

Here’s what you can expect. More than 300 artists perform across six stages, and the music covers a lot of ground: blues and soul, hip-hop, gospel, southern soul, and a celebration of the HBCU culture that has shaped so much of America. You’ll catch big names like Mavis Staples and dobro player Jerry Douglas. The real fun, though, is wandering into a stage you didn’t plan on. Maybe it’s Annie & The Caldwells bringing gospel from Mississippi’s Golden Triangle, or Capoeira Luanda, whose tradition is part dance, part fight, and part survival story. Come for an artist you know, and you’ll probably leave Sunday talking about one you’d never heard of.

It’s more than music, too. There are hands-on craft demonstrations, storytelling, and regional and international food. In Smith Park, the Mississippi Folklife Area celebrates this year’s theme, “Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story.” It shines a light on how this state’s folk traditions have shaped the nation. If you’ve got little ones, there’s a family zone right next door.

GET THERE EARLY: THURSDAY

If you can’t wait until Friday, you don’t have to. On Thursday, November 12, Hal & Mal’s and the National Folk Festival present the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour. The lineup features Rebolú, Jasmine Holmes, and Dat Mighty 9 featuring Big Chief Romeo. It’s a great way to kick off the weekend.

FOOD AND MARKETPLACE HOURS

Now for the practical stuff. The food vendors and the Festival Marketplace open at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The marketplace is where you’ll find artisans selling their work, so bring a little shopping money.

PARKING AND THE SHUTTLE

This is the part I really want you to remember. Free parking is at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, at Amite and Jefferson Streets, and there’s ADA-accessible parking there too. From the Fairgrounds, hop on the free JTRAN shuttle, which drops you off downtown at Amite and State Streets.

The shuttle runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Pay attention to the last ride back. It leaves the festival around 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and around 6 p.m. on Sunday. If you’d rather park downtown, some garages and lots may be open, but you may have to pay. You’ll find the details at nationalfolkfestival.com/parking.

STREET CLOSURES

If you drive through downtown, here’s a heads-up. Street closures roll out in phases starting November 6, and the full festival site closes at 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. That includes the Pearl Street exit from I-55, so you’ll need to exit at Jefferson Street. To keep the parking garages reachable, East Amite and North President Streets switch to two-way traffic for the weekend. Streets begin reopening early Monday morning, and everything is back to normal by Wednesday, November 18. The full map is on our website.

LEAVE THESE AT HOME

A few house rules before you head out. Don’t bring pets, unless it’s a service animal. Leave coolers, glass containers, outside alcohol, and weapons at home. Bikes, scooters, skateboards, and golf carts aren’t allowed either, and there’s no grilling or tailgating. And if the weather turns, don’t worry. The festival happens rain or shine, as long as conditions stay safe.

OUTRO

That’s your guide to the 83rd National Folk Festival, November 13 through 15 in Downtown Jackson. It’s free, it’s for everybody, and it’s a weekend worth showing up for. You’ll find the full schedule, the festival map, street closures, and a stage-by-stage guide at visitjackson.com/nationalfolkfestival, and we’ll have links in our show notes at visitjackson.com/soulsessions.

Soul Sessions comes to you from Visit Jackson, the destination organization for Jackson, Mississippi — the City With Soul. Our executive producers are Jonathan Pettus and Dr. Rickey Thigpen, and I’m Paul Wolf, managing editor and your host for these conversations. Keep up with everything happening in the City With Soul at visitjackson.com. If Jackson’s got you curious, send your questions and story ideas to pwolf@visitjackson.com.

Thanks for listening. I’ll talk to you again soon.

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