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Northwest Folklife Festival in danger of being canceled next year

SEATTLE — This weekend, 250,000 people are expected for what could be Seattle's final Northwest Folklife Festival.

According to the Seattle Times, the executive director of the festival says if the organization doesn't meet its funding goal of $350,000, the festival won't return in 2018.

The festival depends of donations from individuals, foundations, government and corporate partners to pay  its operating expenses and to produce the annual festival every year.  The nonprofit organization also has year-round programs and events.

The suggested per-day donation is $10 per person or $20 for families, but only 17 percent of attendees donate.

Festival Executive Director Mark Crawford told the Times that donations at the entrances usually add up to about $190,000, but it needs to be $350,000 or 35,000 people giving $10 each.

The festival has more than 20 stages on most days and includes artists, dance, music, exhibits, foods, crafts and thousands of performers from around the world.

The festival has been a Memorial Day weekend tradition since 1972.

It runs from Friday to Monday. Find a full list of events here.