The 2009 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival has started on the National Mall in DC. There are three themes, the country of Wales, "Las Americas", featuring artists from the US and Latin America, and "Giving Voice", the African American oral tradition.

The Festival isn't very busy on weekdays, but weekends can get really crowded.

 There is a really interesting demonstration by the Ty-Mawr Lime Ltd. company. They combine traditional carpentry skills with the new thinking of sustainable design. Their plaster uses recycled glass instead of sand; it's called "glaster". They also use plaster that uses hemp fibers instead of sand. Hemp is also used for insulation. Floors are made from "limecrete", which uses recycled glass.

Slate is plentiful in Wales. This craftsman splits the slate without shattering it.

There's lots of great free music to listen too. Performances are given under big tents (with lots of seats), so it's a great way to get out of the heat and relax.

Right across the street is a temporary enclosure set up as a gift shop for the festival. You can get really hot if you're at the festival for a couple of hours. To the left of the gift shop is the Freer Gallery of Art. If you get overheated, it's a great place to cool off, get a drink of water from the fountain, and enjoy the art.

There's a beautiful courtyard in the center of the Freer Gallery.