From 1999-2017 Ciesa Design created print and design work for the Folk Festivals in East Lansing.
However, the events originated in 1987, when MSU Michigan Traditional Arts Program folklorists produced the first “Festival of Michigan Folklife.” Bringing together over 75 musicians, storytellers, and craft demonstrators, this event ran successfully from 1987-1998, with only a year’s hiatus in 1997. The success of the event prompted the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) to select East Lansing as the host city of the “National Folk Festival’s” 61st, 62nd, and 63rd annual presentations starting in 1999!
The three-day event was free to attend and created a positive economic impact of $2 million dollars into the city annually. Ciesa Design started making the promotional material in 1999 at the onset of hosting the National Festival. Creative work was largely done in-kind and was adopted by the NCTA as official “National Folk Festival” branding for the 62nd and 63rd annual festivals.
After three years, Bangor, Maine, was selected to host the National Folk Festival. However, East Lansing’s support of the festival was still present and would culminate into the debut of the “Great Lakes Folk Festival” in 2002. This event would continue for 15 years until 2017, with the zenith of the celebration boasting 4-5 stages and nearly 100 performers, storytellers, crafters, and artists both national and international.
Despite the official conclusion in 2017, there are many examples of continued support for Michigan cultural celebrations. In 2018 for example, a smaller legacy event was organized in similar spirit: the “Lansing Eastside Folk Festival.”
Ciesa Design has always been committed to supporting cultural and artistic celebrations. We were disappointed when the festival’s hiatus became permanent after 2017. However, the East Lansing Folk Festival Study Committee has formed to discuss plans to host the festival again in 2025/2026!
If you are interested in joining, volunteering, or supporting this committee in some way then check out the meeting notes/apply at: https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=8723
For more details on the history of East Lansing Folk Festivals visit the official NCTA site at: https://ncta-usa.org/legacy-festivals/great-lakes-folk-festival/