The 29th annual Spokane Fall Folk Festival is kicking off to celebrate the diverse voices of ethnic communities in the greater Spokane area. 

Located in the Lair Student Center of Spokane Community College on Saturday and 10, the event features a wide range of vendors that represent the cultural and nonprofit groups in this region, director of the festival, Sylvia Gobel, said. 

“We choose groups and performers that most meet our mission, which is to promote folk and traditional and ethnic crafts,” Gobel said. “There is absolutely something for everybody.”

The planning process of the event begins six months prior with applications coming in from vendors as early as July to secure their spot. Having been involved with the festival for 20 years, Gobel said the board always strives to introduce new performers and styles to the community.

“What’s different this year is we’re back to our pre-COVID days,” said Gobel. “We have more performers this year and we’ll have a larger audience.”

This year, over 40 vendors will be featured at the festival to highlight traditional dance, singing, crafting, jam sessions and many other activities. 

Susan Dankovich, the leader of three dance groups for the festival, expanded on her involvement with the Silver Spurs Youth Folk Dancers of Spokane. Having taught ethnic style dancing for around 30 years, Dankovich said her favorite part is experiencing others participating in the art form. 

“Just the look of joy and satisfaction when they make it work, even if making it work isn’t perfect,” Dankovich said. “It’s a very big accomplishment and sense of fulfillment for the people who are learning to do it and that goes for kids as well as adults.”

The schedule for the festival can be found on the Fall Folk Festival website. It includes the names of all performances and activities, where they are located and when they are taking place. 

The Silver Spurs Youth Folk Dancers are scheduled to take the stage on Saturday, Nov. 9, along with many other groups to perform their art. 

Dankovich said these performances are interactive and she invites audience members to try out certain movements for themselves. 

“Everybody has a favorite performance or participatory event that they want to do,” Dankovich said. “There are crafts for the kids, other groups teaching dances and storytelling. There’s a real mix so everybody can choose something they like best.”

Growing up as a Spokane local, Gobel said little cultural diversity was present before the festival. When she moved to the coast for college, Gobel said she was fascinated by the music and dances of other regional cultures, which led to her participation in the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle. 

“I went to that every year and I performed in several pieces,” said Gobel. “We also had some performing groups here in Spokane, and at some point, people just said we need something like this here.”

The success of the festival throughout the years has been a product of the generosity and support of the Spokane community, Gobel said. 

“The festival is free to the public, but that’s because everybody volunteers their time,” she states. “The community really supports this festival, and I hope they continue supporting us.”

Dankovich said her hope for this event is that attendees feel inspired. 

“This dance, this community, this getting together and sharing things we love is worldwide,” Dankovich said. “It doesn’t stop and start with any one culture. It’s just people enjoying people and learning new things.”

According to Dankovich, the traditional arts of dance, music, songwriting, singing and jam sessions need to be continued. 

“These mediums are important in the world, because they’re genuine,” she said. “They are from the people and anyone can participate.”