A couple of months before the first Calgary Folk Fest, longtime local entertainment writer James Muretich (1952-2006) wrote the following piece in The Albertan about the growing popularity of folk festivals for people of all ages, including families: “Folk festivals have changed from the days of protest anthems and pot-smoking hippies.” Reflecting that point, Calgary organizers created a children’s concert as part of the 1980 original festival. Additionally, children (and seniors) were admitted to the folk fest free of charge.
As those who attend modern Folk Fests can attest to, Calgary’s event is indeed a family-friendly cultural and musical extravaganza that includes a family zone. So, how did this popular event at Prince’s Island start? Looking back 44 years, a provincial department called Alberta Culture created something called the Festival of the Arts celebrating the province’s 75th birthday. As part of that program, the department provided funds to organizers who were working to get a folk festival started. The plan was hatched to have an event called The Travelling Folk Festival and Goodtime Medicine Show stop in various Alberta communities. In Calgary, local performers were urged to sign up to be part of the festival, but only $1,000 was available to pay them, as the following Calgary Herald article notes.
Questions were raised about provincial funding of the Calgary Folk Fest vs. the Edmonton Folk Fest. The Albertan newspaper noted that Edmonton had thought bigger about its festival and thus overshadowed the Calgary event.
Excitement surrounding the first Calgary folk festival grew as the event approached. Scheduled acts included Valdy, Sylvia Tyson and John Allan Cameron. Ticket prices were $5 in advance or $6 at the gate.
While one Herald writer (Brian Brennan 1943-2021) found much to praise about the festival, a freelance writer and musician (George W. Lyon) questioned whether the event was truly a “folk” festival. Festival chairman John Martland penned a perfect response in the Letters to the Editor section of the Herald, inferring that perhaps the freelance writer has missed the true purpose of the festival: “To enjoy fine music, well played.”
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