Music fans have something to celebrate this weekend. The annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday in Eutaw. The festival features blues, gospel, folk and old time roots music. It’s also a feature of arts, crafts and food. Carol Zippert is the event organizer.
Carol Zippert: “For me, the festival holds our stories. The Blues talks about struggle. Struggle and perseverance, and just making it over. And the Gospel talks about hope and faith, that we will continue to make it through our struggles.”
Zippert says when the festival started in 1975, it was a lot different than it is now.
Zippert: “The participants were African-Americans. But now we have young white guys who play the guitar and can sing the blues and want to be on the festival. And I say, “Come on, come on and lift up the community you’re part of.” To me, that’s a powerful statement, when we’ve grown to show our diversity.”
The event is free and open to the public. It’ll be under a large tent on the Old Courthouse Square. Zippert says fans and shade will help keep people cool during the hot weekend.
You can find a schedule of events and more details here.