BANGOR – Bangor Savings Bank has become a Founding Sponsor of the National Folk Festival, pledging more than $100,000 to the festival for its three-year stay in Bangor.

“We are delighted to have one of Maine’s oldest and most respected financial institutions supporting the National Folk Festival,” said John M. Rohman, chairman of the festival committee. “Their support demonstrates once again the bank’s strong commitment to making Bangor one of America’s great small cities.”

“As Bangor Savings Bank celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are pleased to provide support for America’s oldest and most prestigious multicultural festival,” noted P. James Dowe, president and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank. “The National Folk Festival is an exceptional cultural and economic asset for our community, and the bank is excited to be one of its founding sponsors.”

Bangor Savings’ gift will underwrite the festival’s Children and Family Folk Activities area. Developed in partnership with the Maine Discovery Museum, the area will feature storytelling, folklore, games, craft making and other creative opportunities for young people and their families.

In addition to its grant for children- and family-centered activities, Bangor Savings will support the festival with marketing activities. The bank’s Web site (www.bangorsavings.com) will provide specific information on festival events and activities, stream video and include a link to the National Folk Festival Web site (www.nationalfolkfestival.com).

The National Folk Festival will be held in Bangor Aug. 23-25, and again in late August 2003 and 2004. The festival is produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city of Bangor and Eastern Maine Development Corp., in partnership with the Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine.