14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hazy shade of summer
Wildfire smoke didn't deter attendees or performers at the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, which saw sold-out crowds at Birds Hill Park July 10-13.
Audiences were treated to the first ever local performance by roots favourites Gillian Welch and David Rawlins, as well as a host of acts from across North America and the world.
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Legacy performers from the first years of the fest included folk icon Bruce Cockburn, bluegrass duo Cathy Fink & Marcy Marx, guitarist David Essig and spoken-word artist Peter Paul Van Camp.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Fred Penner opens the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival at Birds Hill Park on Thursday.
The weekend wrapped up with Winnipeg diva Begonia, R&B legend Mavis Staples and acclaimed soul-pop outfit Lake Street Dive.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Folk fans soak up the sun on Sunday afternoon.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
British indie-rock duo Supalung performs at Big Bluestem stage on Sunday afternoon.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
The smoky air doesn't stop most audience members from shaking their tailfeathers.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
The Green Ash stage is packed on Sunday.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Stephen Fearing (left) and Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys played the Snowberry Field stage Sunday.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Stephen Fearing (left) and Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
