Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup Complete (Almost)
By John Swartz
The main stage lineup for July’s Mariposa Folk Festival is settled with the addition of headliner Half Moon Run. The Montreal band was signed this week to replace First Aid Kit (a popular choice among fans) who last month cancelled their North American tour because of “unforeseen medical circumstances.”
Half Moon Run is based in Montreal and days after Mariposa will do a cross Canada tour and then be touring in the U. S. and Europe most of the fall. The band played the Way Home festival at Burl’s Creek in 2016. Their song, Full Circle, was used in the trailer for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
They will close the Friday night lineup, which has, in order, Birds of Chicago, Lee Harvey Osmond (Tom Wilson), Hawksley Workman, Ralph (Toronto musician Raffa Weyman), and Steve Poltz also appearing.
Saturday night’s lineup is Sharon, Bram and Friends, Julian Taylor, Terra Lightfoot, Martin Sexton, Stars, and Tom Cochrane and Red Rider. Sunday’s is Fred Penner, Digging Roots, Shakura S’Aida, Colter Wall, Jason Isbel and My Son the Hurricane.
MFF president Pam Carter said there will be some additions, possibly later this week, to fill out a few spots on other stages, but otherwise the organizing committee has everything ready for the July 5, 6, and 7 festival.
Orillia’s The Free Label is scheduled on Saturday’s pub lineup and VK and the Legends of the Deep will likely be playing the last notes of the festival Sunday evening in the pub. VK will also do a set on the downtown stage at noon Saturday, followed by the Lifers, E.T.E., and James Gray. Friday’s downtown stage has audition concert winners The Connors Brothers, The Doozies and Deeps playing in the afternoon.
It’s also time for volunteers to sign up for the festival. You can find out what jobs there are to be filled and register here.
Tickets are on sale now online or at the Mariposa Office in the Arts District. Weekend passes for young people (ages 13 to 18) are only $26 and kids under 12 get in free when they are with an adult.
(Photo Supplied)