Murfreesboro, TN - Steve Cates, founder of the Cripple Creek Cloggers and the International Folkfest, is already deep in preparations for next year’s International Folkfest, set for June 7–14, 2026, in Murfreesboro. Alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, Cates is working to finalize the lineup of international dance troupes that will bring their traditions to Tennessee.

While Slovakia has bowed out due to the size of their proposed delegation, groups from Germany, Croatia, and Italy are currently under consideration. France and Sicily are officially confirmed, adding a touch of European flair to the upcoming event.

Cripple Creek Cloggers to Portugal

Cates also shared exciting news about the Cripple Creek Cloggers and The Slim Chance Band: they’ll be representing the United States at the CIOFF Santarém Festival in Portugal, running August 28 through September 8, 2025. It’s a meaningful return—their last performance there was in 1981.

How It Began

Founded in June 1967 as a 4-H project at Kittrell School in Readyville, the Cripple Creek Cloggers have grown from a local youth group into an internationally celebrated troupe, showcasing Appalachian dance heritage across the globe.

The International Folkfest, launched in 1986 by Murfreesboro’s International Folkloric Society Planning Council, has become a beloved tradition. More than just entertainment, it’s a cultural bridge—bringing together people from vastly different backgrounds and fostering understanding through music, dance, and shared stories.

One of the festival’s most moving traditions comes at the end of the week, when performers and audience members join hands to sing “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” It’s a simple gesture, but one that captures the heart of Folkfest: unity through culture.