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
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.