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• During a visual description and touch tour for visitors who are blind or low-vision, Ringling Bros. Clown College graduate Kim Hawkins shared elements of her costume.
  Photo by Brian Barger, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• Ubaldo Sánchez worked tirelessly and precisely on the freehand and stenciled designs of the alfombra de aserrín on the Migration Walkway.
  Photo by Daniel Martinez, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• The alfombra de aserrín came together on the Migration Walkways in only a few hours, depicting the Capitol Building, an American flag, and Indigenous peoples in dyed sawdust, beans, rice, and ears of corn.
  Photo by Daniel Martinez, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• The Reunion Weekend began with a panel on “The Festival: From Research to Realization,” featuring program curators past and present.
  Photo by Brian Barger, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• Leosvel Almeida, along with partner Diosmani Aguero, conquered this twenty-foot pole, hanging off and sliding in unimaginable configurations.
  Photo by Hatum Saenz Painemilla, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• As part of Cirque des Voix, Matuni Vaiaoga wowed the crowd with his variation on Samoan fire knife dancing, traditionally performed with a machete.
  Photo by Josh Davis, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• There were new faces and products in the Marketplace today, courtesy of the International Folk Art Alliance, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  Photo by Caroline Angelo, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• Juggler Adam Kuchler from the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus balanced sixteen “cigar box” blocks, accompanied by the Bindlestiff Family Band, which creates original music just for his act.
  Photo by Daniel Martinez, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
• Coming from San Jose, California, Artemio Posadas brought his Mexican son huasteco traditions to the Ralph Rinzler Stage, a passion that earned him an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2016.
  Photo by William O’Brien, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Click on the image above to view full slideshow

The Reunion Weekend is here! We’re capping off the 50th anniversary of the Folklife Festival with special discussions and activities about our work behind the scenes and your favorite Festival memories, in addition to more Circus Arts. It’s a celebration for staff, volunteers, participants, and visitors—we hope you’ll join us and share your own stories and hopes for the future of the Festival.

Tomorrow the Festival will come to a close, but not before a full day of demonstrations, performances, and hands-on workshops. You can see artisans from the International Folk Art Alliance in the Marketplace, learn about the legacy of our cofounder Ralph Rinzler, and record your stories in the #50YearsofFolk booth. The final performance in the Big Top is a Salute to Youth Circus, with special guests Bello Nock, known as the “World’s Greatest Daredevil,” and Pauline Ducruet, daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. Don’t miss your last chance to visit!

Elisa Hough is the editor for the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.