They will be hosted by the French folk group, Louis Cigalouns de Morseums, a traditional stilt-dancing troupe who performed here in Murfreesboro’s International Folkfest in the 1980s.

Joining Cripple Creek Cloggers for the various festival events in the towns of Morcenx, La Reole, Ychoux, Mont-de-Marsan, Bourdelles, Saint-Macaire, Bazas, Rauzan and others, are folk troupes from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine and Spain, as well as various groups from France.

Festival activities during their stay include parades and official greetings by dignitaries of the region; visits to the beaches in the area; a tour of the ancient caves nearby where pictorial depictions of early life are preserved; and sessions set up for teaching Appalachian-style square dancing to festival attendees.  

There will be parades in towns served by the festival and participation in special masses on Sundays in the ancient churches there.

During their stay, the local dancers and musicians will be seeking to talk with groups interested in participation in Murfreesboro’s annual International Folkfest, to be held during June 10-17, 2012.

They will also be met during the festival by former visitors to International Folkfest from around and about western Europe and also by persons from other festivals in the region where the group has participated in past years.

The Cripple Creek Cloggers is celebrating the 44th anniversary of its founding as a 4-H activity group at Kittrell School by current director, Steve Cates, in June, 1967.

Because of their participation in international events in the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and North Africa, this group, with the help of various interested persons in the Murfreesboro, Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee community, were able to organize International Folkfest in 1982.

The group always welcomes new members.

All participants are volunteers and there is no charge for joining or participating.

Find out more about them, including where and when they practice at www.cripplecreekcloggers.org.

Among those participating in this French tour, along with Cates, are the following:  Michael Graves, Ann Mattox, Linda Vanatta, Tommy Vanatta, Caleb Allen, Donna Davis, Tara Syester, Kelsey Wells, Oliver Shalibo, Doug Willard, and Linda Davis.