By Justine Kelsie

Family, intimacy strengths for third Bear Creek Folk Festival

Mar 20, 2018 | 4:07 AM

There may be a fresh line-up for the third annual Bear Creek Folk Festival (BCFF), but the same cozy family friendly atmosphere isn’t new for the Muskoseepi Park event.

Emerson Drive, Dallas Green of City and Colour, and Colin James are some of the performers that were announced Friday following a performance by Freddy and Francine at the Grande Prairie Live Theatre.

“We are presenting a very similar format as we have in the last couple of years. It just works so well,” said Festival Producer Sarah Card. “We have the mainstage performances at night and then the workshops during the day which are the ‘in the round sessions’. Those, in my opinion, are the meat of the festival because you get to see all the artists that are playing the main stage, in a much more intimate setting.”

Each performer plays at least twice over the weekend with at least one of those in an up-close-and-personal way.

“You get to see a different side of them you never get to see. You never see these combinations of artists together on stage, so it is lightning-in-a-bottle moments that will never happen again. They are very special.”

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Card says, for the adults, the beer gardens will be expanded, and, for the children, there will be more activities.

“We are working really, really hard to continue with our goal to make this event as family-friendly as possible. We have a fantastic kid’s area, a ton of free activities, and face-painting. We have some fantastic children’s programming, Sharon and Bram, who are well-loved kid’s performers who are coming to do a concert as well as a workshop.”

The prices for youth have also been cut in half from the 2017 event with ages 12 to 17 getting a weekend pass for $50.

Although Card noticed an influx of applications for volunteers when City and Colour was announced, the organization is always in need of more people to help out.

“In the past, we have been a little bit short, so our volunteers have had to work really, really hard to get the event together. It is getting easier and easier. It is a growing process.  It will continue to get easier as support and awareness spreads.”

The third annual BCFF goes August 17 to 19, 2018 on Borstad Hill. Tickets for the weekend are on sale now.