Folk Festival promises diversity

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2019 (2497 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Offering something for everyone is what Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival organizers are aiming to accomplish at their seventh annual event.

Whether it’s the chance to hear talented musicians, try belly dancing, relax in peaceful surroundings or follow a brass band along a trail – it’s on this year’s festival’s program. The festival will take place at Linda and Mitchell Omichinski’s Cottonwood Acres property on PR 331 near Portage la Prairie on Sat., Aug. 24 and at Island Park in Portage on Sun., Aug. 25.

“They’re getting a lot of diversity,” said festival president and co-founder Linda Omichinski. “We are a folk fest, and folk is an all-encompassing musical style.”

Artistic director and co-founder Josh Wright agrees, listing some of the groups scheduled to perform as being bluegrass, francophone, world music, folk punk, and ethno-rock, among other genres.

A songwriters’ circle will bring performers together, as well as Whoop & Hollar’s annual High Gravity Stew Brew which gives guests a chance to hear musicians from different bands play together. The Red Barn stage features up-and-coming performers.

“It’s the first time introducing a children’s workshop,” Wright said. Judy & Ruby are the featured musicians and Chris Kitchen will perform magic.

Omichinski said there will be a total of 25 acts throughout the weekend, providing 22 hours of music.

She emphasized the festival’s family-friendly nature with activities such as making an instrument from garbage, writing a special message on a peace pillar and scavenger hunts on the schedule.

This is the first year that the festival has been held over two days, and also held at a site in Portage. Signs in Island Park will direct festival-goers to the stage area and event parking.

“People like the idea that it’s in town,” Omichinski said. A free shuttle bus will take guests from Portage out to the rural site on Saturday and from the site to Island Park on Sunday. There is free tent camping on the Omichinski’s property beginning at 4 p.m. Fri., Aug. 23.
Food vendors will be on-site for both days. Omichinski said local sponsor Circle K is offering a free hotdog lunch from noon to 2 p.m., as well.

An artisan’s market will feature about eight crafters selling made-in-Manitoba products.

The festival’s gates open at 11 a.m. on both days. The festival will start at 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 24 with ceremonial drumming by the Spirit Horse Singers.

For more information on the full festival lineup and to order tickets, see https://www.whoopandhollar.com/home