The 47th Smithsonian Folklife Festival kicked off with a bang this morning. All three program areas were abuzz with activity–with strains of Hungarian fiddle playing, Tuvan throat singing, and jazz percussion pulsing across the National Mall. A brief downpour passed through in the late afternoon, but the sun came back out and the evening concerts proceeded as planned.

Here are some highlights from today’s activities:

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Director Michael Mason speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Folklife Festival.

Photo by Richard Strauss, Ralph Rinzler Archives

Szalonna (of Szalonna and His Band) performs at the 2013 Opening Ceremony.

Photo by Francisco X. Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Traditional Kalotaszeg Dance at the Danubia Stage at the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Photo by Bob Friedman, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Rock the Runway, part of the Will to Adorn program.

Photo by Donovan Tyson, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

A Rock the Runway model.

Photo by Donovan Tyson, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Rock the Runway, part of the Will to Adorn program.

Photo by Donovan Tyson, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Bhokta Newar, a Koro basket maker and spirit house maker, on the site of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Hawaiian music and dance, part of the One World, Many Voices program.

Photo by Eliza Piccininni, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Los Masis: Quechua Music from Bolivia performing on the One World, Many Voices stage.

Photo by Eliza Piccininni, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

A demonstration of traditional Hungarian cauldron cooking.

Photo by Bob Friedman, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Hungarian women in traditional embroidered dresses.

Photo by Richard Strauss, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Hungarian women in traditional embroidered dresses walk arm-in-arm on the National Mall.

Photo by Francisco X. Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives