Cllr, Mary Catherine,
I was present at that first one in 1961 too. Also, I was there for the duration of the next seven festivals. What an education it was!!! Mike Fleischer and the Folklore Society brought the unbelievable expert traditional singers and true informants to our town right in the middle of some horrific Chicago Winters. For me, a twenty year old who was thoroughly taken with folk music, it just couldn't get any better than that!

At that first U. of Chicago Folk Festival my eyes were opened to the real and amazing extent of the English language folk tradition. Also on the bill that year was the cowboy singer--Bob Atcher who was on the WLS Barn Dance radio program for years. (He wound up being mayor of Schaumburg, Illinois for 20 years.) Blind Arvella Gray -- the blues singing street singer was there with his National guitar.

Later, I had the pleasure of being asked to sing and play at this festival at least two different years---maybe 3. I was nervous as hell walking out on that same hallowed stage in Mandel Hall where so many singers who became my mentors had played.

I do know that if you attend the 50th festival it will be a real treat for you!

Art Thieme