The weather had finally warmed up, it didn’t start raining yet- other than the wind, it was the perfect time this past Saturday for SLU students and the Canton community to get folksy. Vendors galore, live music, and fun for hours, Folk Fest 2019 was a hit for everyone willing to have a good time, and maybe even contra dance (at least just a bit).
Can you believe it’s been the 8 annual North Country Folk Festival? Presented by the Greenhouse, featuring eleven hours of music- from local SLU bands to contra dance bands at the old Java Quad- this festival is a family-friendly event that everyone can find something they can enjoy. Talents included The Common Heart, Spring Rain, The Twelve Steps and many more!
Folk Fest is always a great opportunity for the St. Lawrence University to integrate with the Canton and Potsdam community. A vendor selling jewelry said “[She] wants to expand from Potsdam to Canton,” and that she’s hopeful this event was a marker to gauge on the success she would have. This festival is a great way to promote small and local businesses, and not only allow them an opportunity for exposure, but allow students to buy some pretty cool things- sporks, jewelry, and more!
Karoline Bass, a SLU student who experienced her first Folk Fest this year, reminisced on her time there. “It was so enjoyable!” she said with a smile on her face, “So many people were around, we had to watch out for little kids running around but that just shows how community-based the event is- it was great to see.” With so many bands and beautiful weather, the festival was a treat for everyone in the Canton area. Anyone could enjoy it, and the bustling of people only created for a lively atmosphere.
It’s also always a great event when you can not only support your local businesses and communities, but support your local music scene too. Some performances were given by bands that often tour around the country, but others were given by local folk bands, even SLU student bands! The mixing of music scenes didn’t just make for great music, but made for great support as well.
Folk Fest is a great time and a great opportunity to support several different outlets of the SLU and Canton community. As long as the excitement and love for folk music still persists up here in the North Country, there are sure to be more festivals to follow. Don’t forget to support your local businesses and local music scenes!