The official schedule for the 2009 Folkmoot USA performances is final and tickets are now on sale.

Countries expected to take part in this year’s international dance festival include Serbia, Mexico, Netherlands, Kenya, Greece, Romania, Georgia, Israel, Spain and India.

The 2009 Folkmoot Festival will take place July 16-26. Folkmoot is one of only three international folk festivals in the United States, where over 300 dancers and musicians from countries travel to WNC for two weeks. Traditional performances from nearly a dozen countries will take place throughout nine counties during the 11-day festival.

Held for 25 consecutive years, Folkmoot is North Carolina’s Official International Festival and has been designated “One of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society. Folkmoot USA attracts 100,000 visitors to Western North Carolina and pumps more than $4 million into the local economy each year.

Highlights of this year’s festival include the Parade of Nations on Friday, July 17, and International Festival Day (co-sponsored with the Haywood County Arts Council) takes place on Saturday, July 25, in Waynesville. In addition to the parade and international Festival Day, the Folkmoot 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s Fun Run (co-sponsored with Waynesville Parks & Recreation and Haywood County Parks & Recreation) will be held July 18.

For more information, to purchase tickets and souvenirs, or to see a schedule of 2009 performances, go to www.FolkmootUSA.org or call 877.FolkUSA.