Speaking for the formal showcase committee, there are 5 judges. For the most part, the judges are presenters and/or media.   I host two radio programs and book a local coffeehouse. There is another coffehouse booker, a former book for a major Canadian folk festival, a member of the Philadelphia Folk Song Society with both festival and small venue booking experience, and a booker for the New Bedford Summerfest. One of the judges is also a musican. We listen to the music submitted (over 260 submissions this year) and use "criteria" similar to what we would use to book our venues, festivals and radio show. If the talent appeals to us, if we feel that this person or group is worth sharing with others, we give them consideration. We end up choosing 14 artists for the formal showcase. There are also "tricentric" showcases - three different showcases that take place simultaneously and present about 30 additional artists.

Again, there are no rules. We play with the cards that are dealt us. If I have a singer-songwriter and someone that people would label a traditional folksinger, we try to judge them on their own merits.