MORE INFORMATION Go to full schedule for Lowell Folk Festival Lowell Folk Festival Site

There's a story behind every song at the Lowell Folk Festival. Not just the career saga of the latest folk-popsters, but deeper, older tales of how cultures formed in America; how communities came to be the way they are _ and sound the way they do. It is these living traditions Lowell feasts on, that make it the preeminent traditional festival in New England.

Take, for example, Brian Marshall & His Tex-Slavik Playboys. Even in the name there is a story most people don't know. Texas is certainly known for its fair share of playboys, but it is hardly viewed as a polka hotbed. As Marshall said from his Houston home, though, the first Polish settlement in Texas dates back to the 1850s. He believes the prevalence of the fiddle in other Texas styles, from Western swing to Cajun, helped Lone Star polka stay closer to its old-country roots _ where polka is driven by violins and bowed basses, than its better-known northern cousins _ which only added brass horns in the 1940s. Texas is everywhere in his band's joyful sound, with sassy swing lines and subtle salsa splashes spicing the polka beat.

Asked why Texas polka is not better known, Marshall said, ``Polish-American musicians in Texas still function like old-world village bands, with each community having a few regulars who always play for weddings, anniversaries, and other family events. We don't play too much outside the Polish community.''

Marshall and his band perform all three days at Lowell's new dance pavilion. Its dance floor is open to folk hoofers of all tastes. Marshall has advice for first-timers.

``Down here, folks would wear any type of hard-soled shoe, because Polish people in Texas stomp. That's their kick, they love to stomp, especiallly when a good, driving waltz is being played. But it's going to be outside and probably warm, so I'd just say dress comfortably, because you will break a sweat. Maybe bring some water; and if you're not sure what else to do, just stomp. You'll make us feel right at home.''

This is a delightful family festival. Everything but the food is free, and the stages are easy strolls from one another. There are several children's activities areas, offering crafts such as hair-braiding and beading, and traditional street games such as box hockey and the always vigorous beanbag frog toss.

Among the festival's highlights this year are gospel and R&B legend Fontella Bass, Irish singer Sean Keane, rockabilly pioneer Ronnie Dawson, hot bluegrassers IIIrd Tyme Out, the Native American Flint Nation Singers, Piedmont blues masters Cephas & Wiggins, and the much-buzzed-about Hot Club of Cowtown.

Come early, come hungry. The ethnic food is all home-cooked by Lowell cultural groups, with choices including Portugese, Cambodian, Jamaican, Greek, and African-American.

Craft demostrations/games area on Lucy Larcom Park/ Sattuck Street, noon-5 p.m.Ethic food sales at JFK Plaza and Market Street on Saturday and Sunday, noon -5:30 p.m., and at Boarding House Park (times vary)

By Scott Alarik