The nation's oldest multicultural event will be held at Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Kick off the fall season with the 79th annual National Folk Festival, September 6–8!

Located in Salisbury, Maryland, this three-day festival celebrates the diverse cultural traditions of America and the practitioners that keep them alive.

Music, art, dance, and crafts are just a handful of the art forms that will be on display at this massive festival. With 350 artists total, you've got a can't-miss event on your hands!

All weekend long, experience an amazing lineup of artists on seven performance stages. With about 35 groups performing, the amount of genres on display is mind-blowing. Guests can listen to folk and Appalachia, honky-tonk and Tahitian drumming – all within the same day!

The festival also hosts a special showcase of regional artists at the Maryland Folklife Area, where along with local artists, recipients of the Folklife Apprenticeship Award will perform. This year's theme is "Maryland Masters." Check out the lineup here. The schedule will be announced in August, so be sure to check back next month for more details!

Of course, the music will be a big treat, but plenty more entertainment awaits you. Browse the festival marketplace for handcrafted items by artists all over Maryland and the Delmarva peninsula.

Navajo dance troupe The Jones Benally Family, courtesy of Facebook

Explore wood-carvings, textiles, jewelry, canned goods, hand-woven baskets, even guitars! There will also be food trucks selling a smorgasbord of cuisines, festival fare, and refreshing beverages to enjoy throughout the festival. Take a look at the vendors here. 

Here are some things to know before you go:

• Admission is FREE.
• This event will be held rain or shine.
• Pets, alcohol, weapons, glass bottles, and objects like drones and kites are prohibited from this event (service animals are allowed).
• For transportation, a free shuttle service will be offered at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center regularly throughout the festival. Free parking is also available at various parking lots downtown.

Find out how to get to the festival here.

The National Folk Festival will take place on Friday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 8, from noon to 6:30 p.m. Find out more by visiting their website.

**All photos courtesy of Facebook

Will you be attending the National Folk Festival? Have any favorite memories from past events? Share them with us in the comments!