With some funding underfoot and more grant applications sent off, the festival’s committee is in the midst of sorting out artist applications, volunteers and vendors.
The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre has expressed interest in contributing $15,000 to become the event’s title sponsor, in addition to manning the beer garden, said committee member Cristin Murphy.
The committee continues to sort out the potential title sponsor and design a concrete strategy for the beer garden.
“We’ve had a lot of requests from artists who are interested in the festival,” said Madison Lamb, committee member.
As it stands, the “potential line up” includes artists like Five Alarm Funk, Alex Cuba, Oscar Lopez and Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra. “We want to have names that people recognize, but we also want to have new people.”
Artist suggestions are still being accepted as there are a couple performance slots to fill.
The festival committee will also give a local act the opportunity to play on the festival’s big stage. The winner of the May 24 battle of the bands competition and silent auction will play at the folk festival. Details are yet to be finalized before the committee calls for acts.
Also, the committee is looking to recruit a vendor coordinator for the food booths. Marianne Garrah of Habitat for the Arts is already on board to help with artisan and other non-food related booths that will be displayed during the festival.
Since Jasper’s last folk festival occurred in 2007, filmmaker Dave Baker is keen to document events leading up to, and including the festival. “When people look back on how this resurrected ... I’m thinking [of entering this documentary into the] short film circuit,” he said.
The next folk festival meeting is Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Legion.
