Long Beach Folk Revival Festival Delivered Tons of Fun!

The Long Beach Folk Revival Festival delivered everything you could ask for in a music festival and more!

The festival provided music, craft beer and other drinks, food, contests, unique crafts, and fun for the kids in abundance. Held in Rainbow Lagoon Park this past Saturday, the Long Beach Folk Revival Festival, now in its third year, was spacious, comfortable, clean, and well-managed.

Ocean breezes and shade trees helped keep the temperature comfortable. Many people brought their own blankets and folding chairs for relaxation. The thoughtful festival organizers provided abundant seating with tables. chairs, and even bales of hay.

I have to admit that I went to this festival not really knowing what to expect. What I discovered is that the Long Beach Folk Revival Festival provided a variety of vibrant and talented entertainment for any music lover as well as an exceptional array of artisan venues. The festival showcased popular and emerging folk, roots, bluegrass, and Americana musicians.

The Long Beach Folk Revival Music

The spacious park held four different stages that showcased twenty-one (yes, 21!) different bands. Contests and open Bluegrass Jams took place too.

Indie-folk rockers Deer Tick headlined the festival along with Los Angeles’ very own He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister. One of my favorite bands was The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit. The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit has been recording and performing original music since 2004. They have two successful record releases under their belts, with their third Album “Old Excuses” just released and getting rave reviews.

Craft Beer and Food

No festival would be complete without delicious food and craft beer to wash it all down!

With beers from Stone Brewing Co., Brewery Ommegang, Eel River Brewing, and Smog City Brewing, delicious craft beer flowed throughout the day. Wine, hard liquor, and non-alcohol drinks were also available.

Multiple, well-staffed beverage stations dotted the festival grounds so beverage service was easy and prompt. I seemed to gravitate to the aptly named Stone Delicious IPA.

A diverse line-up of gourmet food trucks and vendors were available to keep hungry festival patrons full and happy all day long. Tasty food fare was available from vendors such as Sweet Lou’s BBQ, Canvas Truck, Luckdish Curry, Speedy Dog Hot Dogs, and Primal Alchemy. Whether you were a major carnivore, a vegan, or somewhere in between, there were delicious dishes for your eating enjoyment.

Local small business The Pie Bar offered a wide selection of delicious, hand-crafted pies made fresh from scratch to satisfy any sweet tooth craving.

Contests

Pie eating and banjo contests were held, but the premiere contest of the day was the beard and mustache contest. New entrants and national champions competed to see who had the best facial hair of the day. My beard felt a little intimidated!

Crafts

An array of craft artisan venues lined the outer edge of the festival. Many focused on re-purposing items to create unique fun and useful products. Two vendors’ creativity beguiled me to the point of buying.

Funguy Mojo Guitars makes musical instruments and accessories by recycling everyday items such as cigar boxes. They are funky and fun! I couldn’t resist a one-string, beer can guitar.

Reclamation Dept provides sustainable handmade goods and unique vintage finds, including vintage military stock. I fell in love with a vintage, Belgian gas-mask case that is now my growler travel case.

Fun for Kids

There were lots of activities to keep all kids busy and happy, including their very own music stage featuring bands such as The Hollow Trees, a children’s beard and mustache contest, square dancing, as well as trying musical instruments provided by the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra.