The 2024 edition of the Mission Folk Music Festival (MFMF) welcomes artists from around the world July 26-28. Audiences from near and far are invited to Find Their Folk at the beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park overlooking the Fraser River, near the City of Mission.
This year’s festival offers a roster of talented artists and groups from Canada, the US, and beyond with over 20 acts performing on the daytime stages and on the evening Main Stage.
The MFMF’s Artistic Director, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, says: “We’re offering folks a passport to a world of music! This year, audiences will hear Indigenous throat singers (PIQSIQ) and bluegrass musicians (Jackson Hollow), the voices of powerful women (see lineup), Trinidadian rhythms (Kobo Town), Swedish folk tunes (Fr?nder) – and lots more.”
Crys Matthews sings out for social justice and is being hailed as “the new Woody Guthrie”; Innu singer, Shauit, brings totally riveting songs rooted in traditional sounds, primarily singing in the Innue-aimun language, with pop-rock and reggae influences; Catherine MacLellan’s gorgeous voice, music and lyrics will, as always, captivate; and Conor Gains’ fearless synthesis of a world of musical influences will have audiences reveling with him in being “outside the box”. There’s music fully in the folk tradition as well as creative fusions with blues, jazz, rock, pop and other genres. There’s gospel, Americana, country-rock, indie – the variety of musical experiences in store knows no bounds.
The Festival gets underway Friday evening, July 26 with the first Main Stage concert. Saturday and Sunday (July 27 and 28) the four daytime stages bring collaborative workshops, concerts and dances, followed by artists showcased on the evening Main Stage
Festival-goers can get close-up experiences with the wonder of crankies, participate in workshops, jams and sing-alongs. Activities for Wee Folks make sure the whole family can Find Their Folk, join the Festival Choir and jump into step dance and contra dance sessions. At Recychestra, experience the wonder of instruments made from recyclable materials in a special project from the City of Mission led by the multi-instrumentalist, Boris Sichon.
In addition to great music in a beautiful environment, the Artisan Market with some 20 vendors offers a broad range of unique, beautiful, useful and interesting items – both hand crafted and imported – for sale all weekend. The festival welcomes non-profit and community-building services and organizations with a focus on Mission as well – you’ll find them in the Artisan Market as well. Food trucks and booths on site offer a broad range of culinary and beverage options for every taste, and the Festival Bistro (Beer Garden) is a shaded oasis to take a bit of time with a cool drink. For those who want the fully-immersive festival experience, on-site camping is available for an additional fee. Over 300 enthusiastic & dedicated community volunteers help the festival runs smoothly.
The Mission Folk Music Festival is renowned for not only presenting great music on its stages, but also for the warmth of welcome offered to artists and festival-goers alike. A whole-of-community effort, the festival is affordable, offers shaded day stages and opens its arms to create a weekend oasis of friendly, easygoing enjoyment and musical appreciation. The harmony at Mission Folk is not limited to the stage.
Demers Shaevitz says: “We produce our festival so folks from near and far can experience and celebrate amazing artists, their music, traditions, cultures and perspectives. When we all come together, outside, in a beautiful natural setting and a welcoming community, something special happens. We invite everyone to come and Find Your Folk!”
Mission Folk Music Festival takes place July 26-28, 2024 at Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission BC. Weekend passes, single day and evening tickets are on sale now. For tickets, the line-up details and festival schedule visit missionfolkmusicfestival.ca