There is something philosophically wrong with folk festivals that charge exorbitant ticket prices.  I had this epiphany at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival , the largest still free folk festival in the country.  I was amazed at how well engineered, and well planned out this festival was.  Traveling down to Lowell was easy.  Parking the car was easy and cheap.  The festival specialized in ethnic foods that were both delicious and inexpensive.    The amazing lineups scheduled at the various stages, was the best part of all.   This is a grassroots festival that truly got it right. My top 5 favorite performances, in pictures, were: 5.   Zhentian Zhang (traditional Chinese hammered dulcimer) Zhentian Zhang at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival  4.  Quarteto Olinda (Brazilian folk fiddle) Quarteto Olinda at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival 3.  Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto (Columbian gaita ensemble) Gaiteros de San Jacinto at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival 2.  T