Posted in: Music Festivals by faithcoates on May 6th, 2009 | 0 Comments
Celebrating the 35th year of Canada’s Premier Folk and Fusion Festival.
Home County Folk Festival has been a London, Ontario tradition for 35 years. Rain or shine the Festival brings out over 150,000 folks to enjoy over 132 live performances ranging from Celtic, Indigenous, folk, rock, blues and so much more. For 35 years the Festival was opening by the inimitable Jackie Washington a Canadian icon. Washington is 89 now and Festival organizers are hoping he can travel to the Festival in 2009 for a special tribute featuring Paul Langille and David Essig, who are long-time musical friends.
The line-up for 2009 includes other stellar performers including: Murray McLauchlan, Elliot Brood, Dust Poets, The Good Lovelies, New Cumberland and many others. There will be six music stages and a Small Folk area for the kids and over 150 juried vendors providing food and crafts. Home County is renowned not just for the music but for the absolute best in Canadian arts and crafts. Every vendor is hand-picked and the quality of products is incredible. Hands down Home County vendors far exceed the norm at a summer Festival. True artisans in pottery, wood working, painting, photography and much more make the Festival a fantastic place to pick up superior quality gifts for both you and for some one on your list.
At 2009 Home County there will be two themed stages introduced to showcase high profile and emerging Canadian Indie Artists:. These will be called the Next Generation Stage and the Fusion Stage. There will be over 40 hours of programming and extended late night ticketed concerts at venues in the downtown area.
The Festival takes place in Victoria Park which is in central London. The Park sits between Richmond Street and Wellington Road. A beautiful green space in the heart of London’s downtown there are shady trees and benches to enjoy a picnic lunch. The bandshell was renovated a few years ago and now provides a protected shelter for the music and performances. The facilities are top notch an clean and a large concrete pad area for the audience allows for the folks watching to bring their portable chairs and blankets to settle in for an evening of superb entertainment.
The Festival is a free event and it takes place on July 17, 18, 19, and 20th. Greening up Home County has been a priority for several years and in 2008 the Festival organizers were awarded the Recycling Council of Ontario Gold Award. Home County successfully diverted 70% of the waste from the local landfill. Home County depends on over 300 volunteers to help plan, organize and work the festival. This year they are seeking volunteers to help sign for the deaf and additional volunteers to work with the Small Folk area.
www.homecounty.ca
