Deb Rouse is ready for the 53rd Kerrville Folk Festival’s opening night

The nation’s longest continuously running music festival returns to the Texas Hill Country next week when the 53rd annual Kerrville Folk Festival kicks off its 18-day run at Quiet Valley Ranch.

The festival begins Thursday, May 22, and continues through Sunday, June 8, featuring over 100 artists on two stages.

Festival Director Deb Rouse, who first attended in 1975 as an 11-year-old with her parents, calls it a unique experience.

“There’s not another 18-day festival anywhere in this country that has 18 solid days of programming,” Rouse said.

This year’s ticket sales are up according to organizers, with favorable weather forecasts contributing to the positive outlook.

The opening night on May 22 will be free to the community, featuring Lucy Clearwater at 7 p.m. and The Wilder Blue as the headliner. Clearwater, one of last year’s New Folk Competition winners, will open for a lineup that includes Jeffrey Foucault and Sean McConnell.

Free tickets for opening night are available at several Kerrville locations including Pint and Plow, the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Specs. Gibson’s Discount Center quickly ran out of their allocation. Tickets remain available at the festival office on the ranch.

Opening night attendees gain access to the festival campground after performances conclude. The campgrounds have already begun to transform into the festival’s iconic tent city, with major camps establishing their canopy structures during Land Rush setup last Saturday.

The campground itself is a significant part of the festival experience, with music playing continuously, creating what Rouse describes as a “tight-knit” community atmosphere similar to “living in a dorm in college.”

A highlight of the first weekend is the Grassy Hill Singer Songwriter Competition, held Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25. The prestigious contest narrowed 680 entries to 24 finalists who will perform at the Threadgill Theater. Six winners will be selected to perform 20-minute sets on May 31 and receive $750 prizes.

The festival lineup features a mix of established artists and emerging talent. Weekend headliners include Shovels & Rope, Hayes Carll, Dave Alvin with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, The Band of Heathens, BettySoo, Carsie Blanton, and The Peterson Brothers. Midweek shows on the Threadgill Stage will feature festival favorites like Tim Easton, Jenny Reynolds, and many others.

The festival follows a unique policy of offering main stage performers free entry for life, encouraging musicians to return and participate in the campground community even when not officially booked.

Approximately 625 volunteers across five crews make the event possible, handling everything from safety to food service. This year features a new barbecue vendor, recommended by the previous vendor who now serves as one of the heads of festival safety.

Justin McClure from JAM broadcasting will host opening night, while Rebecca Loebe, a former New Folk winner and Center Point resident, returns as guest MC for the festival’s three Sundays.

When asked what she looks forward to most, Rouse initially joked “Closing day” before sharing the true highlight: “Looking out from backstage and seeing the community enjoying themselves.”

The Kerrville Folk Festival runs May 22-June 8 at Quiet Valley Ranch. For complete schedule information and tickets, visit kerrvillefolkfestival.org.