Neither Jim nor I are much for crowds, but this is one event where we truly don't mind. At Folklife, everywhere you look there are people playing music. That's what it's all about.
This gentleman was one of the first musicians we came across. He is playing the notoriously difficult Nan Hu or Chinese fiddle. The rosined bow passes between the strings. Jim and I have only ever been able to make a sound like a cat being murdered on this instrument. Needless to say, this man was making his fiddle sing.
Folklife has many stages, both indoors and out, and has acts as varied as Irish Whaling songs and Ukrainian folk dancing. We never even made it to any of the formal stages this year - there were too many interesting impromptu groups to watch.
Also, there were lots of creative instruments. These two had a whole vaudeville act using household items as their percussion section.
I believe these men were from Cuba. I watched for awhile as a guy in the crowd pulled a percussion instrument out of his backpack and joined in.
I was especially thrilled to see so many young kids playing their hearts out (and they were GOOD, too).
This young man was getting a lot out of these plastic buckets. 
The youngest member of a family group of musicians, she couldn't have been more than 5 years old.
Folklife is full of colorful people, costumes and arts and crafts. 
This guy was part of a group who played wailing blue grass.
Oops, he took a wrong turn for the Ren Faire.
Tie dye is still alive and well.
And lots of really neat creative crafts, like these handmade, hand painted leather shoes.
Here are the ones I finally decided on.
The day was cold and rainy but the crowd cheerful and the Seattle Center as beautiful as ever.The International Fountain is always a draw for kids, no matter how cold it is outside.
And the Space Needle never ages.
This 'cello says it all about Folklife.
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