If you’ve met me more than once, you probably know that I annually attend the Winnipeg Folk Festival. I’m annoyingly in love with the Canadian music festival and I’m proud to say that I’ve attended the festival since 2004 (minus 2009 when I was super preggo with my daughter). Want to see past years photos of the Winnipeg Folk Festival? I’m such a dork that I have a category dedicated to it.
All in all, 2011 was a great year at the WFF. The weather was perfect, the music was superb, the people (as usual) were awesome. We met new friends, ate new food and for the first time discovered the Chickadee Big Top (also known as the kid’s tent). It was a blast discovering the festival with our nearly two-year-old daughter Edie – which made it a thrilling yet low-key year for we semi-veteran folk festers.
A few things set this year apart from previous years. For one, we choose to stay in the quiet campground. Though we hope to return to the more adventurous festival camping next year, the quiet camping was an interesting experience… quite different then the rambunctious “party” campground we were used to. Basically silent after 11 p.m. (I mean like whisper silent), quiet campground mornings were alive with families playing catch, blowing bubbles and making tasty tasty food. As usual, we camped with my mom, dad and brother Dana.
The quiet campground is set about 4 km from the festival site, which makes walking to the festival pretty difficult. Luckily, the WFF offers a great shuttle service. Our daughter was ecstatic to ride the bus.
Like I mentioned before, this year was quite different for us. Attending a music festival with a two-year-old forces you to slow down and look for shade. In previous years, my husband and I would sit center stage in the hot, sweltering sun to see our favorite bands perform. This year we located to the sidelines where our daughter could run around and be a kid. Though it was harder to focus on the music, it was fun to watch her discover folk fest. Plus, for the first time we were able to participate in the kid’s tent. Edie made a great purple painting and played with circus props. I was able to observe the craziness that is childhood.
…so many kids…
One thing every folk fest kid looks forward to is the Bubble guy. Seriously, this dude is a master at the bubble machine… and kids (and adults) adore him.
Of course, kids are fun… but the music is the main attraction. My highlights this year? Lucinda Williams, kd lang (yah, I know… but she can perform!), Dawes, M. Ward, Chuck Prophet, Mountain Man (a female trio) and Sarah Jarosz.
I’m already counting down the days until next year. I can’t wait. Won’t you join us :)
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