2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of The North Carolina International Folk Festival The festival has celebrated many milestones since 1984 when Dr. Clinton Border’s vision for an international dance festival in Western North Carolina first became real. In 2003, The North Carolina General Assembly declared The North Carolina International Folk Festival to be the state’s official international festival. Folkmoot International Day will celebrate dance, music, crafts, food, and beer of many World cultures and the Appalachian Mountains.