CANMORE – The times they are a-changin'. Folk fest is back.
Alberta’s longest running folk music festival is scheduled to return this summer after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. The festival is scheduled for the August long weekend at Canmore’s Centennial Park.
“We keep aware of what’s going on globally and with other artist directors across Canada,” said the festival's artistic director Sue Panning. “As things are now, we are confident enough to put tickets on sale and start booking our full lineup.”
Panning is aiming for April 1 to announce the full lineup. “We’re all super excited to share the love of great music. We’re hopeful and excited for the festival’s best year ever.”
Adhering to a philosophy and legacy of folk, world, blues and roots music, the festival had grown to attract up to 21,000 attendees before COVID-19 reared its ugly head.
For the past two years, festival organizers produced a modified version of the event online for free and on radio stations.
“We’ve had nothing but change for last several years,” Panning said. “We plan to follow all Alberta and municipal health regulations and, of course, be nimble to change."
For this year’s event, as in years past, attendees can expect a plethora of food vendors and artisans on site; and a kids’ area featuring crafts, puppets, music, storytelling and a climbing wall.
There is wind in folk fest sails.
In December, Canmore council approved $100,000 – half of which will come from the folk fest itself – to help extend the life of the Stan Rogers Memorial Stage for another 30 years. The stage was built in 1983 and is used for several other community events.
“Once ground thaws and before the water comes up, we’ll start construction and have the stage ready for this summer,” Panning said.
For tickets and volunteer application forms, visit canmorefolkfestival.com.
