What the cancellation of the Regina Folk Festival could mean for local artists

Roberta Nichol performed at the first Folk Festival in 1969. (Mick Favel / CTV News)

Those in the Saskatchewan music scene are now processing the cancellation of the Regina Folk Festival, and what it will mean for artists going forward.

The event has been a summer tradition in Regina since 1969. It’s been an avenue which has allowed big named and local artists to perform in front of thousands of Saskatchewan music fans.

Lorena Kelly is the executive director of SaskMusic. She said the festival has been a career destination Saskatchewan artists strive for, and it will be a missed stop for artists passing through.

“Having that gone takes away an ‘in’ for many of our local artists. It also takes away the opportunity for local fans to see those artists touring through,” she said.

Roberta Nichol was 16 years old when she performed at the very first Regina Folk Festival.

It was an opportunity for her to live out of her dreams of being a singer. It’s a time she warmly remembers.

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Nichol hopes the festival returns in some capacity, making the changes needed to continue on and prosper.

“I really hope this is a break for the Folk Festival. We’ve had all these really neat [artists] come in and I hope we can see it again,” she said.

Jeffery Straker has performed twice at the Regina Folk Festival. He said many of his listeners discovered his music during those performances.

Straker said the loss of the festival will impact more than just the local music scene.

“These festivals, they really are an incubator for live music and music genres across the country,” he said.

“They really are important in the music and cultural fabric of the country,” he added.

Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski said the Folk Festival has had a significant impact on the city.

“The live music and culture that it brings to our city, it’s going to be missed. A staple of our community everybody knows,” he said.

In a message on their website, the Regina Folk Festival thanked the people who made the event possible. They encourage all to support the arts when possible.