Society of Folk Arts & Culture – Greene County Democrat

By: Carol P. Zippert
Festival Coordinator

In 1975, the organizers of the first Black Belt Folk Roots Festival in Greene County, Jane and Hubert Sapp, perhaps did not envision that their phenomenal cultural celebration would endure to approach its 50th year. However, it has come to past through the leadership of the Society of Folk Arts & Culture, the year 2025 will mark the 50th production of the festival scheduled for August 23-24.
The festival was organized to pay tribute to those persons recognized as bearers of the folkway, traditions and culture of the West Alabama Region, exemplified through their creations in craft, music, storytelling and foodways. As the elders move on, there are fewer old fashioned quilts and baskets, but the young folk come with their own brand of “handmade.” They bring a variety of jewelry and other adornments; home made soaps in exotic scents but with useful purposes. They bring art works depicting their views of the world, or just living in a day. They offer decorative items to cheer a body and a home. But the young crafters come and claim the festival in their own ways – Here comes the 50th.
The festival’s music stage continues. Saturday’s blues recounts struggles, hardship and pain. Sunday’s gospel lifts the spirit in the joy of making it over. The grateful music is accented by the colorful crafts that adorn the grounds as well.
Hopefully the 2025 Black Belt Folk Roots Festival will again feature the Kid’s Tent with hands-on art workshops. The Kid’s Tent is a special adventure for children at the festival. They don’t have to do “grown folk stuff.” They have their own piece of the celebration. Various art supplies are provided for the children to work at their own creations, which they can keep. The Kid’s Tent also offers pottery making, face painting and games – Here comes the 50th.
The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is not a festival without the traditional foods. One could wonder, does the food make the people important or the people make the food important. However, the people and food are inseparable at the festival. There are sufficient folk to crowd all the booths – seeking soul food dinners, Polish sausage and bear burgers, fried chicken or fish, deep fried skins and cracklin, tea cakes, pies, popcorn, snow cones and sometimes homemade ice cream and so much more – Here comes the 50th.
There are costs in producing the festival and we are grateful there are contributors who value the festival. The Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Power Foundation, the Black Belt Community Foundation, grants from Legislators, other non-profits and local merchants support the production of the festival – Here comes the 50th.
The participating artists receive travel honoraria and they always accept what we are able to provide. There are technicians and ground workers to support as well; tents, tables and chairs to rent. One local couple brings their shop fans to keep us cool under the big tent. The festival belongs to everyone. City and county governments render invaluable in-kind services including making restrooms in the courthouse accessible to festival goers; assisting with traffic, parking, vendors set-up and general safety. The festival features another important health safety measure, vaccinations and testing are available on the grounds, provided by Rural Alabama Prevention Center, directed by Mrs. Loretta Wilson – Here comes the 50th.
This festival is unique in that there is no admission charge, simply because it is a community celebration. It would be like charging your family a fee to come home for Thanksgiving. The festival brings people together because they need and desire to be together – Here comes the 50th.
The 2025 annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, on the Rev. Thomas Gilmore Square (the old courthouse square, downtown Eutaw, AL). We look forward to seeing you at our community celebration – Here comes the 50th.