2023 Vancouver Folk Music Festival set to return

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (VFMF) says it will be returning to Jericho Beach Park in July after an eventful year.

Organizers have marked the weekend of Jul. 14 to 16 as the festival’s return date. In February, the festival was cancelled due to rising costs associated with putting on the annual summertime concert series.

Erin Mullan, president of the board at the VFMF Society, says she’s really “heartened by the way people have fought to save” the event.

Last month, VFMF launched a fundraising drive, dubbed #FundTheFest, to save the event for it’s 46th rendition.

The B.C. government chipped in to save the festival as well, having announced a $30 million fund to help cultural events still struggling post-pandemic. Mullan explains this level of funding and support was a game changer when it came to bringing the festival back, as festivals in B.C. have extra factors to contend with right now.

“Pipelines that are being built, what do they need? Portaloos and fencing. What do festivals need? Portaloos and fencing. So, the cost of these things goes through the roof,” she said.

Rising hotel costs became a factor as well, as Mullan says “this is a very expensive part of the world.”

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She says some key changes have been made in the VFMF’s board since it’s initial cancelation, with seven people having been elected into the board’s seats.

“What we have now is a full board of really committed talented people who are all working together with a lot of unity and purpose to make the festival happen,” said Mullan.

She adds pre-sale tickets for the festival and volunteer opportunities will be available in the near future, while donations to he VFMF will remain open.