The Canmore Folk Music Festival is the longest running folk music festival in Alberta and one of its finest. Since 1978, the festival has upheld a philosophy and legacy rooted in folk drawing up to 5000 patrons each day of the three-day event, along with artists, guests, and volunteers from across southern Alberta, western Canada, the northwestern USA, and indeed, the world.
Taking place over the Heritage Day long weekend in August, the festival features 30+ individual acts or performers, an 'everyone is welcome site, a free downtown concert on festival Friday evening, a kids’ area jammed with crafts, puppets, music, storytelling. Its venue is the downtown Centennial Park in the heart of Canmore. Surrounded on all sides by the majestic Rocky Mountains, the backdrop of breathtaking scenery merely enhances the incredible music pouring forth from four stages all weekend long.
More than a weekend. The Canmore Folk Music Society is widely-recognized for fostering a vital community of folk music artists and appreciators. We strive to create a community through a shared love of folk music. The Canmore Folk Music Society brings music to the Rocky Mountains, in an intimate, relaxed, and inclusive environment.
To put on a festival that is an inclusive celebration of our diverse cultural heritage through the presentation of traditional and contemporary folk, roots, blues, alt-country, celtic and world music, artisan handicraft booths, ethnic food fair, and a family area in a sustainable manner
To educate and cultivate an appreciation of folk music and the folk instruments of Canada and other countries through such things as music in schools initiatives, community events and supporting other organizations that do the same.
To support folk artists and organizations that support folk artists through such things as memberships, cross promotion, funding and being active members in the folk festival community.
Every year more than 550 volunteers come together to make the Canmore Folk Festival the huge success it is – without them, there would be no festival. Collectively they donate more than 7,500 hours of free labour, from setting up tents, to selling merchandise and cooking meals. Directing it all is a dedicated team of 45+ coordinators who come together throughout the year to plan the logistics and build their teams.
The rewards of volunteering are vast: new friendships are formed, new musical discoveries are made. But among the tangible benefits we offer are a free weekend pass for the festival, a T-shirt, backstage snacks and access to the exclusive after party we throw for you after the main stage ends, showcasing a variety of festival performers giving you a private concert.
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403-678-2524
info@canmorefolkfestival.com
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