George Clinton and crew brought the crowd to their feet on the opening night of the Festival.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

George Clinton drew a record crowd to the Panorama Room stage.

Photo by Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian Institution

Ellie Mannette, “father of the modern steel drum,” performs with students from the West Virginia University Steel Band.

Photo by Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian Institution

Head-Roc takes the stage of the “Citified” program with his political and socially conscious music.

Photo by J.B. Weilepp, Smithsonian Institution

Christylez Bacon shows off his multi-instrumental talents in the “Citified” program.

Photo by Jane Cave, Smithsonian Institution

Visitors learn about paleontology in the Montana State University tent.

University of Tennessee participants show off their solar-powered house, which draws its design inspiration from Appalachia's traditional cantilever barns.

Photo by Francisco Guerra, Smithsonian Institution

Sisters of the Cloth Quilting Guild from Indiana are sharing their quilting traditions in the “Campus and Community” program.

Photo by Francisco Guerra, Smithsonian Institution

The Festival Marketplace is located on the front lawn of the USDA on Jefferson Drive.

Photo by Joe Furgal, Smithsonian Institution

Tonita Gonzales (center) and other University of New Mexico participants are sharing their traditional healing expertise with visitors at the “Campus and Community” program.

Photo by Joe Furgal, Smithsonian Institution

University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) Mariachi Aztlán perform on the Justin Morrill Performing Arts Center stage of the “Campus and Community” program.

Photo by Joe Furgal, Smithsonian Institution

The NAMES Performers are comprised of Northwestern University Department of Theatre students and theater professionals from Chicago and Atlanta. They are presenting performances formulated around AIDS and the arts for the “Creativity and Crisis“ program.

Day 2 of the Festival!

We are cheating a bit today--adding in a couple of late-arriving photos from last night's concerts. We can't resist since they featured two legendary figures: George Clinton, the godfather of funk; and Ellie Manette, the father of the modern steel drum.