Thousands of people are expected along the city’s riverfront this weekend for the 14th Annual Richmond Folk Festival.

The three-day, free event from Friday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 14, will feature more than 30 entertainers and performers from around the globe on seven stages — from Afro-Colombian and Acadian music to zydeco, gospel, blues and boogie-woogie piano and Crimean Tatar to Laotian and Central-Eastern China traditional wind and percussion music.

Gypsy jazz, Appalachian, New Orleans bounce, salsa and Zuni dance and song also will be featured.

Among the noted performers are gospel and R&B singer Mavis Staples, jazz singer Brianna Thomas, award-winning Irish musician Jarlath Henderson and New Orleans bounce pioneer Ricky B.

The festival, produced by Venture Richmond and the City of Richmond, will stretch from 2nd to 7th streets south of Byrd Street to Brown’s Island.

Performances will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

Organizers said more than 220,000 people were drawn to last year’s festival to celebrate the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling and food.

The CarMax Family Area and Stage will have entertainment and activities geared toward youngsters produced by the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Youngsters also can earn a Junior Ranger patch by completing activities in a booklet available from the Richmond National Battlefield Park booth and its visitor center at Historic Tredegar on the James Riverfront.

Food vendors offering dishes from around the world also will be available at spots around the festival venue.

Free parking and free shuttles to the site are available from City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Ave.

Details: www.RichmondFolkFestival.org