The 39th annual Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival returns to Geneva on Labor Day weekend — and fans can get a sneak peek with a preview music event Saturday, Sept. 5.

The Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival is the largest folk festival in the state of Illinois and a must-see if you’re in Kane County over the Labor Day weekend. The Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6 and 7 along the banks of the beautiful Fox River at Island Park, 2 E. State St. More than 30 folk musicians and storytellers will perform over eight stages during the Festival.

Several Festival headliners are scheduled to perform at the preview event on four live stages in downtown Geneva, including:

• Family Story Time with Marie Ringenberg – 10 a.m. at Playhouse 38, 524 W. State St.;
• The Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr. – 1 p.m. at the Geneva Public Library’s Literary Garden, 127 James St.;
• Dennis Stroughmatt El L’Sprit Creole – 2 p.m. at the Kane County Historic Courthouse lawn, Third and James streets;
• Claudia Schmidt – 3:30 p.m. at the Kane County Historic Courthouse lawn; and
• Lee Murdock and Friends – 6 p.m. at Dodson Place, Third and Fulton streets.

The free preview event is made possible through the City’s Outdoor Music Grant program along with sponsorships from Kilwins, Shodeen, Crystal Life Technology, Inc., Playhouse 38, Fox Valley Folklore Society and the Geneva Public Library. More information about the performances can be found on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us/folkfestival.

The fun continues into the evening Sept. 6 with the Old-Time Community Barn Dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and then Ghost Stories from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Main Stage tent.

Festival admission is $20 for adults, $15 for teens and seniors and free for children age 12 and under. People can get a $5 discount for purchasing tickets for both days. Patrons also can purchase a family admission for $45 per day.

The Festival is sponsored by the Fox Valley Folklore Society, the Geneva Park District and the City of Geneva. For more information, call Juel Ulven at 630-897-3655 or visit www.foxvalleyfolk.com.

About Geneva, IL

Located 40 miles west of Chicago along the Fox River, Geneva is home to 21,495 residents and serves as the seat of Kane County government. Geneva’s character is found in its historic architecture, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mature landscapes and open space with more than 700 acres of park land. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a place to connect with others for shopping, dining or browsing art galleries. Home to excellent schools, library and parks, Geneva continues to be one of the premier cities in the Chicago area to live, work, play and raise a family. For the latest news, visit the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.