Bryan Jessop/Southpoint Sun, Special to The Voice
Not to be outdone by its first two instalments, the Kingsville Folk Music Festival is bringing another impressive list of performers to the stages for 2016.
The third annual musical gathering for Kingsville’s Lakeside Park will be presented on five separate stages from Aug. 12 to Aug. 14.
The event is again being present by Rebel Cowboy Music School owners and operators John and Michele Law, who are taking on the roles of co-producers for the annual festival while also committing as the opening act to this year’s instalment.
This year’s festival will feature Buffy Sainte-Marie, whose earlier works have been performed by the likes of Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Donovan, Joe Cocker, Courtney Love and several others. A Cree activist and educator, Sainte-Marie has been the recipient of Oscar, Polaris, Juno and Golden Globe awards.
The other 29 performers for this year’s three-day show include several other award winners and what multiple sources describe as up and coming musicians. Other accomplished acts to take to the stages include Latin Grammy winner Alex Cuba, Garnet Rogers, Alysha Brilla, Bill Bourne and Quique Escamilla.
Attractions this year will also include several food, beverage and art vendors including Pelee Island Winery wines and craft beers. The Laws explained that with a larger ethnic diversity among performers, food vendors will also be offering a wider assortment of cultural meal options.
“This year I think we have a stellar, musical diverse line up,” John Law said. “It’s going to take this festival to a three-year high.”
Luther Wright and the Wrongs’ side project Butterfingers, Jangles the Magical Clown, Magoo and Todd Crowley’s Musical Petting Zoo will appear as children’s performers and attractions. Local musician and Last Friday Coffee House founder Dale Butler will make this third appearance for the festival, performing as well as presenting his Learn to Play Guitar in Two Minutes program.
“We’re really excited that we can make this happen,” said Michele Law. “We’ve got a strong community and it’s growing all the time.”
Michele explained that the ‘time off’ between festivals runs for about two weeks before the board of directors and roughly 250 volunteers begin making arrangements for the following year.
Weekend passes are now selling at $95 per adult and $85 per senior and student while single-day passes range from $40 on Friday to $60 on Saturday and $50 for Sunday. Patrons 16 and under will be entitled to free admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-838-3006 and are available online at www.kingsvillefolkfest.brownpapertickets.com.
