This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Every year since 1974, people have flocked to the fields of Bird’s Hill Park just north of the city and erected a temporary town of tents, stages, and all the amenities one might need to enjoy the occasion. The festival has grown a lot, but the fundamentals remain the same: it is all about the people and the music.
The iconic Winnipeg Folk Festival sign dangles above Main Stage.
The Avett Brothers warm up the crowd on opening night.
Ways to ensure a good view of Main Stage include utilizing the huge video screens, dancing your way up to the front, or, in this case, binoculars.
Nathan Rogers, son of the late Stan Rogers, performs his father’s timeless classic “Northwest Passage” with the Riel Gentleman’s Choir.
The audience gets lost in the haunting melodies of Patrick Watson.
Patrick Watson himself.
The Cat Empire closes off a night at Main Stage with a full blown dance.
Big screens and big speakers make sure the people at the back can still enjoy Main Stage late into the night.
There were a lot of upgrades to the festival site this year, including new buildings for all the local food vendors (pictured here in the back) and two new stages: Little Stage In The Forest and Spruce Hollow.
Frank Fairfield (left) and Matt The Electrician take turns on their banjos at the “Delusions Of Banjer” workshop.
Del Barber hosts the “Songs I’m Gonna Steal” workshop.
Barefoot and free.
Robert Ellis sings his heart out.
Lots of smiles as Whitehorse hosts the “No Depression” workshop.
Intimate stories of festivals past were told at the “40 Years Of People” workshop – but it just couldn’t be finished without a good ol’ folk jam by the whole group.
At the “1974” workshop, performers from the first Winnipeg Folk Festival reunited in a wonderful celebration of the festival’s 40th anniversary. Pictured here, everyone gathers around Bob King and his daughters; the original spirit of the festival was unmistakably palpable.
![After a successful workshop [THIS MAN] gets up to offer a few sentimental thoughts of reflection.](https://www.davidquiring.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1974-Speech.jpg)
Mitch Podolak, one of the original founders of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, gets up to offer a few sentimental thoughts of reflection after a successful workshop.
The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer, Bombino, and Tony Furtado jam out at the Snowberry stage.
Reliving childhoods by dancing under a giant parachute.
Rich Aucoin jumps into the crowd during his engaging performance.
Dancing the evening away at Big Blue At Night.
A couple plays a game of Connect Four at Big Games in the festival campground.
Crowds gather for a midnight game of Folk Fest Feud in the festival campground.
Mind Of A Snail Puppet Co. came all the way from Vancouver to tell stories to the folks at Pope’s Hill. With a guitar, some beatboxing, a guiding voice, and a loop they use layered transparencies to project a puppet show for the festivalers to enjoy. You may have also caught them at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival the week after.
Xavier Rudd returns to the festival family in an all-Aussie workshop dubbed “How You Goin’?”, with Blue King Brown and Tinpan Orange.
Xavier Rudd giving thanks to his audience; the appreciation is mutual.