Regina Folk Festival

The Regina Folk Festival was a happy music event that took place every year in Victoria Park in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was a fun three-night and two-day celebration, usually happening on the second weekend of August. Lots of people—more than 35,000—came to enjoy the music and have a great time together.

The festival needed many helpful people to work. About 650 volunteers, 11 board members, and seven paid staff members all helped make the event special for everyone. In 2019, the festival celebrated a big milestone—it turned 50 years old!

Unfortunately, in early 2025, the people who organized the festival said they could no longer keep it going because of money problems. This meant the Regina Folk Festival would have to stop forever.

History

Early years

The Regina Folk Festival began in 1969 at the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina Campus, now the University of Regina. The first event, called “Newman’s First Annual Folk Festival,” happened from March 14 to 16 and featured 35 modern Canadian groups. Tickets cost just $1 at the door or $2.50 for all three nights.

In the early years, the festival was run together by many people and focused on local musicians. It moved to many different places over the years, including the Newman Centre, the Education Auditorium, and the Fine Arts Building at the University of Regina.

Moving outdoors

By 1985, the festival moved outdoors to Victoria Park, where it stayed. At first, it was free to attend. The festival changed months several times before settling in August in 1998. Weather could be a challenge, with strong winds and rain sometimes making it hard for performers and visitors alike.

Battling debt

Today, the festival charges for evening shows, but daytime concerts are free. In the early years, it was hard to pay for the festival. Free admission made it tough to raise money, so organizers tried new ideas like adding a beer garden. Sometimes the festival had to cancel due to debt, but with help from donations and ticket sales, it returned in 1995 with a smaller budget.

Modern era (1995 - present)

Since 1995, the Regina Folk Festival has been held in Victoria Park, growing bigger each year. The main stage is in the northwest corner, with three smaller stages spread throughout the park, including one just for kids and another on the F.W. Hill Mall.

Much of this growth is thanks to Sandra Butel, who became the artistic director in 1999. She started with just a $100,000 budget and was the only paid staff member. By 2012, the festival had a $1-million budget, four full-time staff, and many more helpers. Sandra worked hard to make the festival fun for all ages and groups of people.

During the day, there are free concerts on different stages. This helps make the festival welcoming to everyone, including those who can’t afford tickets at night. There are also fun activities for kids, like crafts, face-painting, and a parade. The festival works with partners to bring in more things to do.

In 2012, a new area called City Square Plaza opened next to the park, giving more space for food and arts vendors. By 2018, there were 18 places to eat and over 29 spots to buy arts and crafts.

Big Rock Brewery from Calgary has helped sponsor the beer garden since 1997. In 2016, the festival started a green program to recycle and compost most of its waste. All year, about 800 volunteers help with concerts and the festival weekend.

Concert series and Winterruption

The Regina Folk Festival has always included concerts beyond its main weekend event. In the past, these were called “coffeehouses” and happened every week.

In 2015, the festival started a winter event called Winterruption. The first one was in January 2016, with four shows. Winterruption now happens every year. In 2017 and 2018, it had three nights with two shows each night. In 2019, it had five nights with one show each night, including a special evening for spoken-word poetry with performers from Word Up Regina.

Past line-ups

The Regina Folk Festival has had many artists perform over its long history. Some of the past performers include:

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Begonia

William Prince

Vox Sambou

Blind Boys of Alabama

Humphrey and the Dumptrucks

Roberta Nichol

Bob Evans

Venues

Since 1985, the Regina Folk Festival has taken place outdoors in Victoria Park. Before that, the festival moved around many different places. It was held at the University of Regina in spots like the Newman Centre, Education Auditorium, Fine Arts Building, Jubilee Theatre, and Globe Theatre during its early years.

Artistic directors / music co-ordinators

The Regina Folk Festival had different leaders each year who helped plan the music and entertainers. In 1970, Ken Chesko, Glenn Wolfe, and Dick Jack helped with entertainment information. Over the years, many people took turns leading the festival, including Kendra Walker, Richard Wegrzyn, Kathie Kokotailo, Norm Walker, Gordon Fisch, Norma Cyr, Rick August, Karen Mondor, and Sandra Butel. Sadly, the festival did not happen in 1994 because of money problems and again in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, Amber Goodwyn has been leading the festival.