The wait is finally over.
Delhi 2 Dublin, Scenic Route to Alaska, Birds of Bellwoods, and Rosie and the Riveters will be headlining this year鈥檚 Jasper Folk Festival from Sept. 9-11.
鈥淲hen people think folk festival they think of one type of music, but these days a folk festival can be anything,鈥� said Cristin Murphy, the executive director of the Jasper Heritage Folk and Blues Society鈥檚.
She said about 200 bands applied to be a part of this year鈥檚 festival through an online forum called Sonicbids.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really great way to get new bands. We鈥檝e had people applying internationally and throughout Canada,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really neat tool for us to hear bands that we might not have heard about.鈥�
There will also be a slew of local bands and performers including David Cueva and the Weros, Gui Benoit, Emma Acorn and Houle鈥檚 Gold.
鈥淲e tried to incorporate more local acts in between the main sets so we can really utilize our second stage,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淭he goal is to not have any canned music in between sets.鈥�
Aside from the musical experience the festival will also offer various workshops, food vendors and a beer garden.
鈥淭he selection of things available really depends on how things line up, but it鈥檚 really neat to see what people end up offering,鈥� Murphy said.
Last year鈥檚 event saw about 700 attendees鈥攁 22 per cent increase from the previous year, according to Murphy.
鈥淚f we could go up another 20 per cent this year then we鈥檇 be pumped,鈥� Murphy said.
There will also be kid friendly acts like Kiki the Eco Elf.
鈥淥ur goal every year is to have a really comfortable environment for all ages,鈥� said Murphy.
Tickets will be available at the beginning of July and can be purchased at Nutters Bulk and Natural Foods, Tekarra Colour Lab, Jasper Royal Canadian Legion, the Jasper Farmers鈥� Market every Wednesday or online.
Early bird tickets are $75 for the whole event and will be available until Aug. 14. After that weekend passes will be $110, however, youths and seniors can pick up their weekend pass for $85. For those just looking to take in a sliver of the festival there will be daily and nightly passes available. Individual Friday and Saturday night tickets will be $45 while a full Saturday day pass will be $65.
For those who can only catch the tail end, Sunday鈥檚 pass will be $30.
For more information check out: www.jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca.
Kayla Byrne
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