Cover pic 
: Jenn Kostesky
It’s been a few years since people from all over the world enjoy a Winnipeg tradition, but the Folk Fest is back, but there’s been a few changes. If it’s your first time or you’re a regular, the core heart of the festival remains unchanged, but there’s been a few necessary tweeks.
“We’ve had to make some changes due to having a bit of a volunteer shortage,” folk fest executive producer Lynne Skromeda
Keep your cash at home as many of the festival services and vendors have switched to contactless payment methods. Same goes for ticketing, which means day and weekend passes will have to be purchased online instead of at the box office at the gates. There is a general store in the campground where you can buy almost anything you might have forgotten and the Birds Hill campground has an even wider selection of goods. There are also coin-operated showers at the store; only cold outdoor showers are available in the campground.
Picture: Wpg folkfest FB
Music: more than 60 artists performing over four days across nine different stages, might be hard to see them all, but with a little bit of pre-planning you can make the most of the musical lineup.
Transportation: Getting to the festival is always the first hurdle, as campers start piling into the campgrounds Wednesday morning and daily commutes will begin the grand parking lot dance that evening. Organizers have made some changes to parking lot operations this year in an effort to get cars in and out more efficiently. Drivers arriving through the west gate (accessible from Highway 59) will be directed into the west lot, while drivers coming in through the east gate (accessible from Route 206) will be lined up in the east. Wherever you came in is where you will have to leave at the end of the night. Keep an eye out for cyclists, pedestrians and traffic volunteers who will be sharing the road during the post-concert rush.
Drivers: Will be required to purchase a provincial park pass ahead of time to enter Birds Hill. You must do so online at manitobaelicensing.ca; the printed-out pass has to be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard for the duration of your stay. You can also get to and from the grounds by bus. Winnipeg Transit’s Folk Fest Express will be running regularly Thursday through Sunday — visit winnipegfolkfestival.ca for a full schedule. Festivalgoers can hop on in downtown Winnipeg at a special stop on northbound Memorial boulevard between Portage and St. Mary avenues. The bus is free for ticketholders and a one-way trip takes about 45 minutes.
Food: Sadly, several longtime food vendors will not be around this year. Sukhothai and Whales Tails have opted out. The Whales Tails stand would bring their fried-dough yummys to the festival from British Columbia for the last 40 years.
Camping: The Festival Campground is a mini-city with more than 6,000 temporary residents. It can be equal parts fun and chaos.
Hope that helps! Be good to each other and don’t forget the bug spray!!!
Comments