Despite the absence of a significant source of funding, the Jasper Folk Music Festival is shaping up for its third year of music in the mountains.
For the past two years the Jasper Heritage Folk and Blues Society—which each year organizes the festival—has received $20,000 through the provincial government’s Alberta Community Initiatives Program.
The program gives out grants to initiatives that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta using revenue from provincial lotteries.
Money from that grant has given a big boost to the society as it works to establish Jasper’s folk festival, but, according to Executive Director Cristin Murphy, the organization is not allowed to apply for it three years in a row.
She said the initiative’s rules state that an organization can receive funding for two consecutive years, but then must take a year off before it can reapply.
To combat the absence of the grant money, the society is working on changing up its sponsorship packages and is perusing different donation structures, like in-kind agreements, to make the budget work.
Not having the $20,000 CIP grant does leave a hole in the society’s budget, but Murphy said she is confident the festival will be successful regardless.
“The very first year we didn’t find out that we had that grant until the December following the festival, and we managed to pull it off. So we know we can pull it off, it will just be a little more work, a little more stress.”
Already a number of fundraisers are in the works, including the popular Battle Royale, which on May 29 will see local bands competing for a coveted lineup spot.
Murphy said that the event is always sold out, and with the Jasper Legion’s recently increased capacity, organizers believe it will be bigger than ever before.
On April 25, a 90s grunge tribute night at the Jasper Legion will also act as a fundraiser for the folk festival.
The folk and blues society has also increased its profile, taking part in a number of events throughout the winter.
“We’re trying to do a lot. We’ve tried to have more of a presence over the winter by having a booth at the Chili Cook-Off and street party [during Jasper in January], rather than just showing up in the summer.”
Along with fundraising efforts, Murphy said that the folk and blues society has picked up a few new members who have added fresh ideas and new energy. She teased the prospect of a new format on the last day of the festival, and the possible addition of Aboriginal and Francophone acts to the lineup.
Already, festival organizers have sifted through 300 online applications from bands interested in playing in the festival, and are in the process of securing the ones that will be part of the eventual 15-band lineup.
While the final lineup is still being hammered out, Murphy is confident it will be a good one. And as the festival approaches she said she has just one simple wish: “Hopefully lots of people come out and it’s beautiful weather.”
Trevor Nichols
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