Murfreesboro, TN - If you hear the sound of shoes tapping and accordions playing next June, don’t be surprised — it’s the International Folkfest coming back to Murfreesboro, and Steve Cates is making sure it’s unforgettable. From June 7–14, 2026, Murfreesboro will once again serve as the “hub” for a cultural celebration that spans continents. Dance groups from Croatia, Germany, France, and the United States — including our home-grown Cripple Creek Cloggers — will share their music, traditions, and stories with communities across Middle Tennessee. And yes, there will be singing. Lots of it. Including the heartfelt moment when everyone joins in for “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…”

Cates, who launched the Cripple Creek Cloggers in 1967 as a 4-H project at the old Kittrell Elementary School in Readyville, has been the heartbeat behind both the cloggers and the International Folkfest. The annual event is organized by the International Folkloric Society Planning Council, Inc., a nonprofit founded in Murfreesboro in 1986 to promote and preserve global cultural heritage through the arts.

“The best way to fulfill our mission,” Cates said, “is to physically bring cultures together — here and abroad. We’ve sent Appalachian dancers to festivals around the world, and we’ve welcomed performers from overseas into our schools, civic clubs, and senior centers. It’s about connection.”

Throughout the week, visiting groups will perform for local students, youth organizations, and senior citizens, offering a rare chance to experience international traditions right in our own backyard. It’s not just entertainment — it’s education, outreach, and a celebration of shared humanity.

So go ahead and circle those dates. Folkfest 2026 is more than a festival. It’s a bridge between cultures, built with rhythm, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.