Two months ago, organizers of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival weren’t sure the event would go ahead this year.
But a groundswell of community support and an influx of funding from the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador and the City of St. John’s allowed the event to not only happen but to be free of charge.
More than 2,500 people attended this year’s somewhat smaller-than-usual event in Bannerman Park, dubbed the 49th-and-half edition.
And although the event was free, it raised more than $17,000 in donations, which will help offset any remaining debt and finance future programming, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society said in a news release.
“The NLFAS will continue the rebuilding process over the coming year, and we look forward to welcoming our community back to Bannerman Park to celebrate the 50th Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival in 2027!” it said.
Interim board president Jean Hewson said many people told the society this year’s festival felt like events from the past – informal, fun, and family-friendly.
“There were people dancing, children blowing bubbles, and smiling faces everywhere,” Jean said.
“It was a wonderful celebration of the diversity of our folk community, with music from young accordion players, renowned tradition bearers, Indigenous artists, and multicultural acts. The surprise guest appearance from Mark Critch came as an added bonus!”
This year’s festival featured pretty well an all-NL line-up, which is a pretty good line-up when you’re Newfoundland and Labrador.
Legends like Fergus O’Byrne of Ryan’s Fancy, Dave Panting of Rawlins Cross and Kelly Russell of Figgy Duff performed alongside artists of the moment, such as Matthew Byrne, and a huge array of stalwarts, icons and up-and-comers including Ugandan folk artist and Memorial University student Andrew Kagumba.
