Warm weather is returning to Ocracoke, and so is Ocrafolk Festival.

The three-day event returns to the barrier island June 1-3.

The Ocrafolk Festival features musicians, storytellers, artisans, and characters of Ocracoke Island and beyond who come together for one incredible weekend of performances, artisans, food and fun. The celebration is produced by the community nonprofit, Ocracoke Alive, as a fundraiser in support of the Ocracoke Student and Community Arts Programming.

This year’s featured artisans are Judith Saunders, baskets; Martha Johnson, collages; Kim Mosher, drawing; Stephanie Kiker, pastels and watercolors; Amy Brown, hand-painted glassware; Rosalyn Kutchin and Wendy Johnson, handmade glass wearable art; Alice Hinton, art-glass mosaics; Karen Casey and Arlen Custer, glass pieces; Nancy Aldridge, fused glass; Crystal Blackmon, jewelry and many others.

Local favorite Molasses Creek, celebrating 25 years performing, headlines the festival’s entertainment lineup. Upstate Rubdown, an acoustic septet, joins the list of performers. Cane Mill Road, whose music has charted on Billboard, will mix bluegrass with progressive interpretations of that traditional genre of music. Other musical performers include the Donald Thompson Band, mahalo Jazz and Ocrachicks.

Storyteller Donald Davis, Paperhand Puppets, Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke, humorist Rodney Kemp, Jeff the Mime, Green Grass Cloggers and historian-storyteller Philip Howard are scheduled to entertain, amuse and bedazzle festival-goers.

Here’s what you need to know about Ocrafolk Festival:

• Tickets —This year folks will need to purchase tickets to gain access to audience areas at the stages. This change has become necessary to pay for Ocrafolk Festival and support its mission raising funds for Student Arts Programing on Ocracoke. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online or at the box office during the weekend. For pricing and details visit the Ocracoke Alive website.
• Sponsors — Ocrafolk Festival welcomes Sponsorships! Sponsors can receive festival tickets, T-shirts, and other special perks. Find out online how you can join us with a tax-deductible contribution.
• Volunteers — Ocrafolk Festival relies on over a hundred volunteers to make it happen. Even if you live off the island, you can still be a part of our volunteer family. It’s great fun, and can earn you an all-weekend ticket for your labors. Visit our website to find out how.

For more information about Ocrafolk Festival, including all events and the festival schedule, visit www.ocracokealive.org or contact Ocracoke Alive at 252-921-0260.