The Buzz · St. John's Morning Wire

Your Folk Festival is back, b'y, but it's different this year.

Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton — St. John's Morning Wire correspondent
Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton St. John's · St. John's Morning Wire

Your folk festival is coming back, b'y, and you need to know this

Whaddya at, b'y — this is St. John's, oldest city in North America, and we're still here. Let's go.

I'll tell ya one thing, b'y, when I heard da Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival was comin' back for its 50th year, I nearly cried into me Purity syrup. We all know how tough things are wit' da cost of livin' and folks leavin' for Fort MacMurray, so to see somethin' so vital to our culture, somethin' dat brings us all together down at Bannerman Park, nearly gone... well, it rips ya, it really does. Dis festival, it’s like da heartbeat of da summer here in St. John's, eh? It’s where you hear da old songs, where da young ones learn about where dey come from, and where da whole damn city feels like one big kitchen party.

### Da Buzz on Da Folk

So here's da skinny: after some real nail-biting, da Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is goin' ahead for its 50th year, b'y! It's gonna be a bit different, mind you, 'cause da ol' coffers ain't exactly overflowing. But da fact dat it's happenin' at all, dat people rallied 'round it, dat tells ya somethin' about what we hold dear in dis town. It’s not just a concert; it’s a connection to who we are, to da stories told for generations on da kitchen floor and in da pubs on George Street.

* **What's Happening:** Da festival is confirmed for its 50th year, but expect some changes to da usual format and scale. * **Why It Matters:** It's a cornerstone of St. John's cultural identity, celebrating our unique music, stories, and traditions. * **Local Impact:** It brings da community together, from da Narrows to da Rooms, and reminds us of da rich heritage we have here.

It's a testament to da spirit of St. John's, I tells ya. Even when things are tight, when da weather changes four times before you've had your first mug-up, we still find a way to keep our traditions alive. Dis festival, it’s more than just music; it’s a declaration dat we’re still here, still singin', still tellin' our tales. And dat, b'y, is worth more dan gold.

Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton, MiTL Sports Desk, St. John's.

You can hear all da chatter about dis and more every morning wit' da crew — tune in live at mornings.live.

Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton

Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton is the St. John's correspondent for the MiTL Conversation Desk, covering the St. John's Morning Wire.

More St. John's Morning Wire coverage from Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton →

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