BANGOR – Piedmont blues masters John Cephas and Phil Wiggins gave “a bit of the blues and a blessing,” along with a preview of the caliber of performers lined up for the National Folk Festival, at a press conference Tuesday morning. Their rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun,” brought the crowd gathered at Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Webber Building to its feet.

“Your city will be made proud,” festival veteran Cephas told the group.

Joe Wilson, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, announced the first five performers selected for the festival, which will take place in Bangor Aug. 23-25. Cajun musicians BeauSoleil, and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, both of Louisiana; Punch and Judy puppeteer John Styles of England; Maryland-based Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, whose “dieselbilly” music combines country influences with rockabilly, bluegrass and Western swing; and Quebecois roots musicians La Bottine Souriante reflect the festival’s commitment to variety, heritage and regional flavor in the traditional folk arts.

“With the first five, we got everyone we went for,” Wilson said.

Festival chairman John Rohman announced that Eastern Maine Healthcare has pledged to provide complete medical coverage, including first-aid stations and ambulance services, along with monetary support, for the duration of the festival. The Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Bangor Savings Bank have also signed on as sponsors.

The festival’s fund-raising committee has received donations that bring the fund-raising total to $825,000, more than half of the $1.5 million goal for the festival’s three-year stay in Bangor and more than the $800,000 estimate for startup costs needed in the first year. These donations join a total of $570,000 in prior contributions from Bangor businessman Charles “Chip” Hutchins, the Bangor Daily News, the city of Bangor, Merrill Bank, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the King and Jean Cummings Charitable Trust, the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, the Davis Family Foundation, and Garrand & Co., as well as individual donors and small businesses.

“It certainly secures the folk festival in the context of a full, three-year project,” Bangor Mayor Michael Crowley said of the contributions. “It also will help businesses and others understand this is going to happen and hopefully encourage them to step up and give their support.”

At its last venue, East Lansing, Mich., the event poured $1 million a day into the local economy and drew more than 150,000 people to the city. The festival, which is free and open to the public, is expected to bring up to 75,000 people and the same amount of money to Bangor during its three-day run in August.

“The more I hear about this, the more I understand the opportunity that comes with it,” Crowley said.

The cultural impact of the festival promises to be as important as the economic benefits. The festival draws performers from around the world, presenting a wide range of cultural traditions, music and dance styles, ethnic foods and regional crafts. And while the focus is national, local contenders won’t be overlooked.

“There will be some Maine people here and there will be a really strong connection to the Atlantic provinces [of Canada] as well,” said Rohman, who recently spent five hours listening to CDs and tapes, while working with a group to select the next round of musicians. “We’re looking for about 20 performers.”

Bangor’s proximity to Atlantic Canada was one of the factors that set the city apart from the other nine contenders to host the event.

In recognition of the region’s rich Franco-American heritage, there will be a stage at the festival that focuses on music with a French influence. Organizers have also planned to highlight Maine’s fishing, logging and agricultural industries, and the work of local craftsmen. And while Mainers will get to show off their own traditions, they’ll also get a chance to immerse themselves in others.