Calgary Folk Festival brings crowds back with safety top of mind
The 42nd Calgary Folk Music Festival is in full swing at Prince’s Island Park with some changes, which were primarily put in place to prevent COVID-19 infections.
Instead of a multi-stage festival, this year’s event includes an outdoor concert series at the main stage. It’s called Summer Serenades, and capacity is capped at 15 per cent.
Due to physical distancing protocols, admission also looks different. Instead of individual ticket sales, each ticket gives access to a plot in front of the main stage that allows up to four adults and two children.
Masks are required to be worn at the festival, but can be removed while attendees and their cohort are seated at their plot.
Calgary Folk Music Festival’s artistic director Kerry Clarke said uncertainty leading up to the event was the greatest challenge to overcome.
“I think the fact that it’s happening is a huge success.”
This year’s lineup includes 36 artists, nine of which are from Alberta, performing Thursday, July 22nd to Wednesday, July 28th.
For some, it’s their first time in front of a live audience in more than a year.
Tarik Robinson of Dragon Fli Empire said, “Throughout 2020, we did a lot of virtual events so we’re glad to be here in person and interact with the audience face-to-face.”
Performers aren’t the only ones excited to be back on stage.
Erica Robinson said she and her friends are long time attendees of the Calgary Folk Festival.
“We missed it so much — it was like missing a part of our summer events.”
Organizers are encouraging attendees to buy tickets online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.