For over four decades, the Calgary Folk Music Festival has united Albertans through local music, community and shared experiences. Behind the scenes, a passionate team of volunteers works (and plays) together to bring this iconic event to life, creating a vibrant community that welcomes artists and attendees from across the globe to Prince’s Island Park. 

Here's a round up of what we learned from chatting with several Folk Fest volunteers, so you can be prepared for next year.

Folk Fest family: the volunteer experience

Volunteering at Folk Fest gets you more than a free entry—it's a chance to become part of something bigger.

"It's actually the community that a lot of people don't get to see or experience unless you're a volunteer," shares a long-time volunteer. "It's a great little family that we get to see once a year for four days. It's always a lot of fun."

Another volunteer echoes this sentiment, saying, "I was thinking, ‘oh, can I really make it through the whole weekend?’ Well, an hour into our first night, being around those people, [I knew] there will be no problem."

“The best part is the people we volunteer with,” shares another volunteer, explaining that while there’s hard work, there’s a lot of room for play. “It's a great crew. We have lots of fun. We tease each other. We give each other a [hard] time…There is such a great community, a family with all the people I work with.”

Even first-time volunteers are struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. "It's literally either the people you work with or the people that come to the station and ask questions...It's a really friendly, wonderful place."

Tips for Folk Fest first-timers

If you're new to Folk Fest, the volunteers have some advice to share:

• Pack light. "Don't overpack," advises a seasoned volunteer. "Make a checklist of your must-haves and keep it simple—you’ll be on your feet a lot."
• Stay hydrated. “I would make sure that you have a beverage. That doesn't mean a lot of the beer, but more of the water nature,” advises a volunteer of more than two decades. “We do have water stations here, so bring a reusable [waterbottle].” 
• Get there early. If you have a specific headliner you want to enjoy front and center, you’ll have to beat the crowds. “Get here early enough so that you can get your tarp down,” encourages a volunteer of 17 years (laying a tarp down is the traditional way to reserve your viewing spot at Folk Fest). “Once you've got your tarp down on Mainfield, grab your chairs, and then go and enjoy Folk Fest.”
• Check the weather. Be prepared for anything, from rain to smoke. Knowing the weather ahead of time allows you to be prepared and only pack what you need.
• Bring a chair. "The ground is great to sit on for about an hour," says one volunteer. "And then your butt kind of goes numb."
• Choose your top picks. “I remember my first time at Folk Fest, and it was kind of overwhelming,” recalls a volunteer. “I think one of the best things to enjoy the folk festival is to go through the performers ahead of time, pick out the ones you wanna see.”
• Have an open mind. "If you're walking to a side stage and you hear something good on the way, stop,” the same volunteer encourages. “Every year, we all find at least one to two new groups that we love. So just listen.”

Supporting local artists

Folk Fest is a showcase for local talent, and the volunteers are passionate about supporting Calgary's music scene.

"Go see them. Just go see them," urges a volunteer. "There are a million great places in Calgary...All you have to do is look up live music and you can go see a great show almost every night of the week." Along with classical musical options like the Calgary Opera, Philharmonic Orchestra and Alberta Ballet, volunteers suggest exploring local pubs and open mics. Some volunteer venue favourites include the Dirty Duck Pub in Inglewood and Ironwood. There’s also live music at Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Festival Hall throughout the year, and their winter festival, Block Heater, takes place each February.

Another volunteer recommends checking out the merchandise tent at Folk Fest to directly support artists. Buying a CD or vinyl was cited multiple times as a way volunteers seek to financially support their favourite musicians’ work.

Festival responsibly: budgeting tips 

Volunteers shared a variety of strategies for enjoying the festival without breaking the bank:

• Transportation. Biking, walking or taking public transit can significantly cut down transportation costs. “If you have to pay to park, it's not cheap after the fourth day,” an experienced volunteer points out.
• BYO. Folk Fest allows outside food and beverages onsite, so you can manage your spending and potential food sensitivities. But volunteers still recommend buying at least one meal from a vendor, if you can. “Check out the vendors in the food alley, because the food in this place is just phenomenal.” Poutine is a crowd favourite among volunteers, as is the curry.
• Share food. If you can’t say no to Folk Fest eats, try going in with your party on a dish or two. “I actually look at their portion sizes,” a volunteer shares. “And I look at what it is that I like from that particular venue and then decide, am I here by myself? Am I here with other people? If they have bigger portion sizes, then I might lean to that vendor [and share].”
• Make mindful purchases. With so much to take in and experience on the island, it's natural to feel overwhelmed—and an overwhelming desire to buy. Volunteers have found ways to manage impulse buying, allowing them to both stay on budget and buy merch from their favourite artists. A first year volunteer (and multi-year attendee) says they try to limit purchases to maybe one or two tees a year from the merch tent, while a volunteer of 22 years agrees, allowing themselves one shirt per festival.
• Volunteer: It’s no wonder that volunteers mention this as their favourite budgeting tip. Volunteering comes with perks like free entry and meals (one volunteer mentioned the wraps they get are their favourite food on site!), making the festival financially accessible. “As a volunteer, you don't have to spend any money if you don't want to.”