OUR MISSION The Birmingham Folk Festival was conceived with the purpose of exposing Birmingham’s natives to the burgeoning and vibrant folk scene found locally in Birmingham and regionally throughout the Southeast. By providing support to local and regional folk artists, we continuously strive to be on the forefront of advancement and creative growth not only artistically but most importantly through the work accomplished in our communities. The Birmingham Folk Festival and its members are committed to being a medium for unending growth and progress throughout our surrounding communities and throughout our city. CHARITIES INVOLVED 2009 charities: The Black Warrior Riverkeeper & Friends of Red Mountain Park This past year (2008) we we're fortunate to partner with Mitchell's Place, a wonderful non-profit that provides services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Part of the proceeds from this year's Festival will benefit Mitchell's Place and help children with ASD and their families. ABOUT AVONDALE PARK Avondale Park is a 40-acre wooded park on the slopes of Red Mountain. It overlooks, and is named for, the City of Avondale, which was annexed into Birmingham in 1910. Originally the park enshrined the natural spring which put the area on the map before Birmingham was built. The property was part of a large grant of land given to two-time Jefferson County Sheriff Abner Killough. He sold it to Peyton King, who built a house next to the spring. King, in turn, sold his holdings to the Avondale Land Company in 1887. Whether by agreement with King at the time it was purchased, sentiment for preserving open green spaces, or the mere fact that the steep hillside and springfed basin would be unsatisfactory for building, the expansive 40 acre park gave Avondale a true recreation spot. Upon Avondale’s annexation into Birmingham in 1910, it became the city’s largest park. Many landscape improvements, including a nationally-renowned rose garden, were pursued by Mayor George Ward. Over time athletic fields and gravel walkways were added. In 1911 cages were erected for a small menagerie of animals that would later become the Birmingham Zoo. The star attraction was “Miss Fancy”, an erstwhile circus elephant purchased by the city. An amphitheater was constructed for the spectacular pageant in celebration of Birmingham’s 50th Anniversary in 1921. In 1931, a secluded pavilion called “The Villa” was constructed on the hill at the rear of the park. Through the efforts of the Friends of Avondale Park the deteriorating structure was restored in 2006. During the 1960s the park became a popular hangout for young people, especially those leaning toward counter-cultural ideals. The amphitheater hosted frequent free concerts by local bands, as well as occasional performances by touring bands like the Allman Brothers, who drew a huge crowd to Avondale in 1969. In 2008 the “Compound Folk Festival” moved from Hoover to Avondale Park for its third year and changed its name to the Birmingham Folk Festival Please check back with us for more information on The Birmingham Folk festival 2009!!! |
