The Mission Folk Music Festival will celebrate a landmark 30 years of music in beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park from July 21-23.
Festivities kick off in June with the opening reception on June 24 of Picture the Song: 30 Years of the Mission Folk Music Festival at the Mission Arts Centre.
The exhibition, co-curated by festival society general manager Michelle Demers Shaevitz and long-time festival photographer Lisa Luky, runs from now until to July 8.
“We have amassed a treasure trove of images,” says Demers Shaevitz. “Highlights from the archive capture the scope and scale of the festival in photographs by Chuck Russell, Ben Shaevitz and Lisa Luky.”
As for the festival itself, Mission’s John Welsh Band and Gerald Charlie’s Black Owl Blues, among others, get the musical party started July 21, the festival’s Community Night commemorating Mission’s 125th birthday. Entrance to the Friday concert will again be pay-what-you-can admission.
Highlights of the weekend include artists Jim Byrnes, Valdy and the Marcus Mosely Chorale.
Saturday and Sunday feature full-day programming covering a wide range of musical styles and cultures. Festival favourites Locarno and Mazacote close out the evening shows.
The Wee Folk area returns along with the art market, food vendors, bistro and community booths.
The full lineup can be found at missionfolkmusicfestival.ca.
A weekend pass is $60 for adults, $55 for seniors and students, $35 for youth and free to kids age 12 and under.
Day passes and camping passes are also available. Tickets are on sale now at missionfolkmusicfestival.brownpapertickets.com.
Follow the festival online at missionfolkmusicfestival.ca or on Facebook for news and updates.