The International Folkloric Society Planning Council announces the arrival of musicians and dancers from Puerto Rico, Germany, and Czech Republic on June 12, who will be visiting and performing in the mid-state community until June 19. The guest folk troupes will be joined by the festival hosts, Rutherford County's Cripple Creek Cloggers, and a musical troupe from Rover, TN, Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint HOllow Hootenanny, for free performances on the Courthouse Square in Murfreesboro on Saturday, June 18, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. All groups will also perform on Friday, June 17, at 7 p.m., in Lebanon High School, sponsored by the FFA Alumni.

At other times during their stay, the troupes will be performing for boys and girls clubs, retirement homes, Murfreesboro City School students, the TN Veterans Home, Smyrna and Murfreesboro libraries, senior citizens, the MTSU Governor's School and in Smyrna for a public show sponsored by Carpe Artista. Meals are provided by FCE Clubs of Rutherford County, various churches, temples, and other local groups, as well as families who invite them into their homes for dinners. Major sponsors include the City of Murfreesboro, Middle TN Electric Membership Corporation and the TN Arts Commission. For a full schedule, as well as information on the visiting groups and hosts, see the organization's website, www.mboro-interational-folkfest.org.

The schedule will include time for touring historical, educational, cultural and scenic sites. All groups will have an opportunity to meet together and share dances and music at The Grove at Williamson Place, The Country Club, and Main Street Music. Each troupe will have its own guide for the week as well as bus transportation provided. Dignitaries greeting them will include Mayor Shane McFarland, Mayor Ernest Burgess, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of the embassies of the countries attending have been invited by Tina Jones, of Congressman DesJarlais's office.

International Folkfest was organized in 1982, the first of its kind in the U.S.; it was an idea fostered because of touring to festivals in other countries, beginning in 1973, by the local folkloric troupe. The planning society is composed of a broad base of volunteers from the community. They meet all during the year to plan for current and future festivals. Interested persons are always welcome to participate.