The Donaldson Home County Music Festival is celebrating 50 years with its return to Victoria Park on July 24 and 25. “It has been really wonderful seeing the community rally behind the festival last year,” said Farrell Tremblay, the festival’s artistic director. “There’s a lot of people that have been coming to the festival for 30, 40, 50 years and it really found a home in the festival.” Originally a three-day long event, the festival was cancelled in 2024 before making a one day come-back last year. “While there might be a desire there to return to a three-day festival, we want to be mindful of our growth,” said Tremblay. “We want to be mindful of sustainability and just be measured in that. Being the 50th anniversary, we thought it was important to go a little bigger this year and at least bring back a second day.” The volunteer-run festival will feature live music by Canadian artists, local vendors and community connection. “We’ve been talking to the London Music office who very graciously provided some resources to allow us to have a second stage,” said Tremblay. “It’s going to be a UNESCO stage, so it’ll be featuring artists from various UNESCO cities around Canada.” Emma Maganja with London Brewing Co-Op said she is looking forward to partnering with the festival for another year. “London Brewing has been partnering with Home County for five years now,” she said. “We’ve been the official sponsor and the organizer of their beer garden.” Maganja said they will be launching a new beer to mark the special occasion. “That will be coming out before the festival as well so a way to take a little bit home and a portion of the proceeds will be going towards the festival as well,” said Maganja. Organizers said the anniversary year is an opportunity to honour the festival’s roots. “We would like to foster that experience for future generations as well,” said Maganja.
