During the weekend of July 13-16, 2017 I enjoyed countless hours listening to music from musicians who performed at the 40th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival that was held at Jericho Beach Park. In addition to the music, I enjoyed some delicious food during the festival weekend by trying some of the dishes the food vendors were selling.

On Thursday evening, July 13, the festival did something different and it was a huge success, they featured a group of diverse singers and musicians on the Main Stage where they presented a very special night of song. To celebrate the festival’s 40th year, and Canada’s 150th, I truly enjoyed this celebration of Canada Far & Wide: Grands Esprits.

I loved the delicious Reina Veggie Arepas filled with zucchini squash, avocado, green peas, cilantro, onion and lime at El Coroto Kitchen that I had for dinner on Friday; as well as the Slavic Roll Ice Cream Sundae filled with blueberry, Lemon and vanilla ice cream at the Slavic Rolls foodtruck that I shared with Lawrence for dessert.

We also enjoyed our Milano Coffees, I had the tasty Turkcycle Iced Coffee; and Lawrence had an Iced Americano.

Stage 3 was the place to be for the non-stop dance party with The Funk Hunters (BC) after dinner. Then it was over to the Main stage for headliners Billy Bragg & Joe Henry.

The night ended with a beautiful lantern procession as the music ended for the night.

On Saturday, Stage 6 was the place to me to begin the day’s music with the “World Junket” featuring Ellika Solo Rafael and Alpha Yaya Diallo. Next it was on to Stage 5 for “Songwriter’s Café” featuring John K Samson, Christine Fellows, Leif Vollebekk and Noah Gundersen.

Next it was on to Stage 3 for “Right After My Heart” featuring the incredible singers Roy Forbes, Marlon Williams, Ferron, and Aoife O’Donovan.

For lunch it was some plant-based eats at the Gai Ma Foods truck for a tasty Macro Bowl with Indian Risotto, greens and Raw Zucchini pesto Noodles.

Over at Stage 6 it was for “Singing Truth to Power”  featuring Si Kahn (he talked but didn’t sing as he had Larangites), Ramy Essam and Emmanuel Jal.

Enjoyed some refreshing Cold Brew Tea and Cold Brew Coffee at Green Coast Coffee.

Heading into the evening, it was over to Stage 5 where another dance party got underway with the powerhouse musicians Ilam.

The dancing continued over at Stage 3 where Marlon Williams & the Yarra Benders were performing. We then ventured over to the Main Stage to see headliners the Barenaked Ladies put on an incredible show.

On Sunday afternoon at Stage 6 it was a powerhouse for “An Eclectic Congress” with Ilam, Mbongwana Star, and Nive and the Deer Children.

In the evening at Stage 5, Emmanuel Jal put on an incredible show getting the audience dancing all the way thru is entire set.

The evening ended off at the Main Stage with a great show by The Revivalists and the Festival Finale led by Ferron and Roy Forbes.

By: Richard Wolak