Organizers down south in Olympia are preparing for a three-day festival that highlights the diversity in traditional folk music - specifically that made by Trans and gender-nonconforming artists. TransTrad Fest will take place June 6-8, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments for jam sessions.

"We've got a really welcoming community with a lot to offer people who are curious about folk and traditional music and dance," Hayden Stern, a festival organizer, told the SGN. "Being in a Queer-normative space with amazing music and friendly people feels like a pretty easy sell."

TransTrad Fest will ultimately consist of three days and two nights of concerts, workshops, dancing, and jam-out sessions. The festival will include traditional fiddle music, energetic bluegrass beats, Scandinavian tunes, and Irish and Scottish dance music, among other genres.

"We'll have concerts, a square dance, a contra dance, workshops, and jamming. There will be a food truck, but no other vendors," Stern added.

The square dance will happen on Friday, June 6, when events will start at 6 p.m., and the contra dance will be the following night. The festivities on June 7 and 8 will begin at 2 p.m.

Fifteen Trans and gender-nonconforming performers in the traditional folk music industry will be featured:

• McKain Lakey
• Morgan Harris
• Lillian Sawyer
• Kaden Hurst
• NOA
• Collin Stackhouse
• Starling
• Alicia Guinn
• Natterjack
• Laura Reed
• Olympia Jamgrass Collective
• Scottish Fiddle Collective
• Finley Rose
• Lindsey Dono
• Andy Grummon

Ticket prices start at $20, but people can gain free admission by engaging in volunteer work for the festival.

TransTrad Fest will be at South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Rd. NE, Olympia. For more information visit www.transtradfest.org.