'It's like family': South Country Fair kicks off 37th year
The musicians are back and campers are ready for the 37th South Country Fair.
The event started back in 1987 and, since then, has only had two years without a festival due to the pandemic but still held online events those years.
It features live music, an artisan market, food trucks and fun for the whole family.
"So you will see acts from as far away as Spain, Mexico City, Mongolia and as close as Lethbridge and kind of everywhere in between," said Gillian Moranz, South Country Fair's artistic director, who's been attending the festival since before she was one.
The popular, long-running folk music festival is entirely volunteer-run with more than 300 people working hard to make the weekend possible.
"All the volunteers are super keen and, even in this heat, they were coming into the hospitality tent at eight in the morning to get their jobs, asking, 'What can we do to help, what can we do to help?'" said April Hutchinson, South Country Fair's volunteer co-ordinator.
Some festival-goers showed up two days ago to set up camp, while most arrived Friday.
Some festival-goers showed up two days ago to set up camp, while most arrived Friday.
Many have been coming for decades.
"Just the feeling when you come here, the friendship, the love, the music, the energy -- you just can't really explain it," said Norman Blais, who's back for the 11th time.
"South Country Fair has been a really important part of my life and I did not expect that when I first started but I'm very happy that I've been able to come along for the ride," said 30-year attendee Laurie Blakeman.
"It's like family, it really is," said Mark Sadlier-Brown, who's been coming to South Country Fair for more than 25 years.
"It's not like a big, impersonal fair, it's home."
Mark Sadlier-Brown has been coming to South Country Fair for more than 25 years.
However, organizers say next year's festival will have a new home.
Exactly where that will be is yet to be announced.
"We have been here for 25 years and we've been operating for 37, so change is really healthy, it's really important." Moranz told CTV News.
"This is something that's been talked about for over 10 years, maybe 15, and it just felt like it was time."
Attendees say they've enjoyed the spot they're at, but look forward to what the future holds.
"It's part of our summer, so it will be sad to miss this location but I'm really excited for what's coming next because I think what's coming next will be bigger and better," said Maxine Henry, the fair’s medical director and an attendee for the past 19 years.
Opening ceremonies start at 6 p.m. Friday and the fair runs through the weekend until 6 p.m. Sunday.
Day and weekend passes are still available and you can purchase them at the gate.
Some festival-goers showed up two days ago to set up camp, while most arrived Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.