VAN: 37th Annual Folk Music Festival Comes To Vancouver

Get ready for a(nother) weekend loaded with some seriously good tunes… if you haven’t already gotten your fix after last Saturday’s Khatsalano Festival, that is. Coming up this weekend (July 18th to 20th) is the 37th Annual Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach.

First off, the waterfront location offering up the summer beach scene as a backdrop should be more than enough reason for you to make your way over. Second, this popular seasonal festival features over 60 folk, world, and roots music artists from around the globe – all playing in Vancouver’s own backyard.

With global talent that ranges from the Great Lake Swimmers to Beppe Gambetta, The Born Ruffians to Lost Bayou Ramblers, Amos Lee, Mary Lambert, The Honeycutters, Mokoomba, Wintersleep and Alejandra Ribera, to name a few, suffice it to say it’ll be easy enough to get your groove on.

This year, the festival’s traditional Musqueam opening ceremony will also feature a special welcome to Jericho Beach Park that’ll involve the entire audience. The area was once home to the fishing village ‘Ee’yullmough’ and will see a group of First Nations women honour the spirit of their ancestors before the Main Stage lights up.

Aside from all the great musical acts you can catch throughout the weekend festivities, be sure to check out the hippy market and squeeze in a little culinary therapy while you’re at it. This year’s Folk Music Festival features plenty of ways you’ll be able to do just that with a lineup of local vendors offering sweet and savoury eats…

Head over to the Rocky Point Ice Cream stand for a cooling fix as this locally-run purveyor of homemade ice cream will be featuring plenty of their signature flavours at the fest. Nomad’s Kitchen will be on hand as well, dishing out savoury and spicy bites, as well the Aussie Pie Guy (always a favourite), Dim Sum Express and G’s Donairs – if you’re craving a taste of Greek cuisine.

Worth noting, be sure to pop by Cedar Feast House while at the festival; they specialize in First Nations cuisine. And don’t miss out on some prime Jamaican eats – we’re talking some of the best and spiciest jerk chicken and Jamaican patties in YVR.

Lighter fare can be found at JJ’s Hot Cobs (they specialize in roasted corn on the cob done up with savoury and non-traditional toppings), Whales Tails (a festival classic that’s been there since the beginning), Yo Quiero Tacos, Crepes and Mexi Pops, and plenty of other options.

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival kicks off on Friday night and runs through the weekend at Jericho Beach off of 4th Avenue (just past Dunbar Street) in Vancouver. For all the details, be sure to visit them online.

Will you be checking out the Vancouver Folk Music Festival this weekend? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.