PLAIN FOLK by Les Pearson Can 47,500 people be wrong? Plainly, the answer is no. Discounting the problems that crowds themselves create, festival organizers must be doing a whole lot right to attract that kind of support. Other mega-festivals do many of these things. But, in Western Canada, nobody does it better! Here is a list of the Top Ten things that Winnipeg Folk Festival does best: 10. They attract and retain an army of volunteers. This festival uses a total of 1800 volunteers. They operate the security checkpoints to keep booze and unauthorized recording devices off site. They are on grounds clean-up. They cook meals. They schlep on quads, helping to move performers and instruments from one venue to the next. Festival organizers give each volunteer a t-shirt, feed them-the meals are first rate! -and provide all volunteers with a weekend pass. Little wonder that generations within families keep the volunteer habit. 9. They use apprentice volunteers. That's right. They train kids 12+ to do specific jobs when they are older. Apprentices have all the benefits of a full volunteer! This ensures a continuity of expertise. 8. Bird's Hill Park is a great natural setting. Organizers take full advantage of the trees and natural spaces. Think about great folk tunes on a sunny summer day at the "Shady Grove" venue. 7. Their line-up is international. Acts cover the globe from Amsterdam to Africa. This year's roster featured The Nits from Holland, The Warsaw Village Band, Ibrahim Ferrer from Cuba, and Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa. That's not even counting great American acts like Earl Scruggs and Utah Phillips. Winnipeg books 65 acts, five more than Calgary or Edmonton! 6. They spotlight great Manitoba and Aboriginal talent. If you've never heard of Leela Gilday, get ready. She is a hot talent from the NWT. She was one of an array of Aboriginal performers who are integral to this festival. The Duhks andWailin' Jennys were this year's local talent showcases. 5. Organizers foster new talent with a Young Performers Workshop stage. This is a Winnipeg feature that is worthy of replication. 4. They have a sand pile! A huge one. And the kids love it, and the clowns, and juggling workshops, and the face painting…. Kids are entertained all day. 3. They are environment friendly. Alongside an impressive array and variety of food tents, the festival operates a plate return program to cut back on paper waste. You pay an extra toonie for a meal, but get it back when you return your empty plate. 2. They make interviews easy. The Festival operates a press tent staffed by friendly liaison workers who set up interview times and places at a reporter's request. I love this. 1. But, in case you missed this point last week, a really
great feature of the Winnipeg Folk Festival is their veritable city of portapotties!
(Older folkies will appreciate the significance.) |