Jackson hosts the National Folk Festival Kickoff

The National Folk Festival kicked off in downtown Jackson on Saturday. The festival is the longest running arts event comprised of a free, outdoor, three-day celebration of music, art and dance.

Eddie Cotton Jr. ignites the crowd at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

The National Council for the Traditional Arts chose Jackson out of 42 cities from across the country to host the three-year event.

Local bluesman Eddie Cotton Jr. wows 1 1/2-year-old Zemen and his mother Harya Tarekegn, at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Yamini Kalluri performs a Kuchipudi dance, a classical Indian dance style, at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

The BeauSoleil Trio performs at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Michael Doucet with the BeauSoleil Trio entertains the crowd at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

David Doucet with the BeauSoleil Trio perfoms at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Chad Huval with the BeauSoleil Trio perfoms at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Jake Davis of Herriday, La., enjoying the Cajun sounds of the BeauSoleil Trio, during the kickoff of the National Folk Festival held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Eddie Cotton Jr. and his Mississippi Cotton Club Band perform at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Yamini Kalluri and the Kritya Music Ensemble perform at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Having a good time dancing to the music of the BeauSoleil Trio at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Local bluesman Eddie Cotton Jr. and his Mississippi Cotton Club Band perform at the National Folk Festival Kickoff held in downtown Jackson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

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