The Smithsonian Festival is back on a portion of the Mall adjacent to the museums, with the shorter format that preceded 4 years of expanded Bicentennial events near the Lincoln Memorial. But 1977 also marks several substantial changes. Approximately half of the events are being held within the museums, many within the exhibitions. The July Fourth weekend was exchanged for the Columbus Day weekend to take advantage of cooler weather and to permit local school groups to attend. Programing was originated by museum staff, then reviewed by the newly established Folklife Advisory Council, to broaden the base of staff involvement in the research, planning, and presentation of this and other folklife endeavors.

These changes are reflected in the program of this year's Festival. Some presentations such as the Virginia, African Diaspora, and Family Folklore components will be familiar to veteran Festival-goers. In the museums, within exhibitions that have been highly successful--such as A Nation of Nations--the Festival provides a living component for the 6-day period.