NAFF, INC – NORTHERN APPALACHIAN FOLK FESTIVAL

Learn More About NAFF, INC – NORTHERN APPALACHIAN FOLK FESTIVAL

The original Northern Appalachian Folk Festival was founded in 2013 by Indiana University of Pennsylvania professor and historian, Jim Dougherty.

The son of a coal miner, NAFF began as an expression of his passion and interest in the history and contributions of this wholly unique American region. His goal was to celebrate all of the qualities of the areas that make up Northern Appalachia.

NAFF incorporated as a charitable organization in Pennsylvania in 2018 and achieved federal 501(c)3 status in 2023.NAFF, Inc. is a 501(c)3 dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present and securing the future of music, art, folkways, food ways and other related forms of cultural expression in Northern Appalachia.

Through the annual Folk Festival, the newly-launched Folk School, and other Organization-sponsored events, NAFF, Inc. contributes to improving the region’s quality of life by enriching the cultural environment, creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and strengthening relationships with local communities and the general public.