After receiving almost double the amount of expected funding from the provincial government, organizers of the Jasper Folk Music Festival said they鈥檙e ready to start moving forward with next year鈥檚 plans.
In 2013 and 2014 the festival received $20,000 through Alberta鈥檚 Community Initiatives Program, a grant intended to enhance and enrich communities. Due to grant regulations, organizations cannot apply for the funding more than two years in a row, leaving the festival to rely solely on ticket sales and fundraisers to pull off its 2015 festival.
After waiting out the year, festival organizers applied again, expecting the usual amount. However, much to the surprise of the organizers, the Jasper Folk Music Festival was granted $31,600 on Oct. 26.
鈥淭his year we鈥檙e receiving significantly more than what we have in the past so that鈥檚 really exciting,鈥� said the festival鈥檚 executive director, Cristin Murphy. 鈥淲e had made our way without the funding before, but this will allow us to take a big step for next year鈥檚 festival and help to pay off this past festival.鈥�
Festival organizers applied for the grant in March to try and offset some of the costs associated with the 2016 festival, which was held in September.
Along with paying off recent bills, the money will also help organizers as they start preparing for next year鈥檚 festival.
鈥淲e can secure the bands earlier this year because we actually have money in the bank,鈥� said Murphy, adding that the funds will also allow the festival to secure stages and other equipment.
鈥淭hat is stuff which should be booked early on, but we haven鈥檛 been able to make that happen.鈥�
As the festival moves forward, next year鈥檚 location is still unknown. Since its resurrection in 2013, the festival has been held at Centennial Field, however, Murphy said she doesn鈥檛 know if that location will be available next year when the field is resurfaced. According to the municipality, the rehabilitation of Centennial Field will officially begin on June 30, 2017.
Kayla Byrne
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