Week two of Folklorama kicked off Sunday, with a whole new set of pavilions available to visitors.
2012 marks the festival’s 43 year and with it, according to organizers, come a host of changes.
Perla Menard is one of Folklorama’s longest running volunteers – spanning a multitude of duties.
“The last 19 years, I’ve been guiding,” said Menard. “I’ve spent ten years dancing. I was a youth ambassador and worked two summers for the council.”
Menard said she’s witnessed the festival evolve every year – this year most notably with the addition of an enhanced mobile app that lets visitors or “tourists” get a sneak peek at the pavilions before visiting.
And after checking it out on their phones, tourists can take a bike tour of the festival. This year saw 40 people sign up to cycle to select pavilions. The tours came with the same perks as VIP bus tours.
“You meet at a central location, cycle to the first location and then you head to the next venue,” said Debra Zoerb, the executive director of Folklorama.
Also new this year is the Indigenous Mardi Gras Pavilion.
“Mardi Gras Indians are from half African and half Native American descent. I think it shows the story of two cultures coming together,” said Buffy Handel, one of the pavilion’s organizers.
The pavilion and 23 others offered during the second week of Folklorama will be open until Saturday, Aug. 18.
Organizers said even though this year’s festival isn’t over yet, they’re already planning for next year.
