Jason Stockfish | [email protected]
After being cancelled by a pandemic and postponed by a power outage, the Jasper Folk Music Festival finally made its triumphant return on Oct. 1.
On a stunning autumn day, the 2022 festival kicked-off with a morning parade led by Edmonton-based Brasstastics.
Marching with fans of all ages, the brass band stole the spotlight on Jasper鈥檚 main street as they made their way to Commemoration Park, where they hit the stage in spectacular fashion as the first act of the day.
Peter Puffin took to the stage after the Brasstastics warmed it up, and immediately the children鈥檚 performer had the kids singing and dancing along to his Juno-award-winning 鈥淲hales Tales鈥� act.
Throughout the day, festival goers enjoyed performances from some of Jasper鈥檚 finest bands and musicians, including The Project, Well Spaced Trees, Marie & Friends, Gui Benoit, Willy Saunders, Sons & Daughter and Lucydafirst.
After Sons & Daughter proved why they were voted Jasper鈥檚 favourite band in the 51暗网鈥檚 2022 Readers Choice Awards, David Essig鈥檚 one man show had the mountains echoing with his authentic traditional blues and country tunes.
The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer performed next and they had the crowd on their feet from their opening notes, attracting a large group of young fans who feverishly asked the duo to play 鈥渙ne more song鈥� until they eventually ended their impressive set and made room for the headliners.
Reuben and the Dark brought the house down with a truly hypnotic performance that was made even more enchanting by the addition of the Bullhorn Singers who have been touring with the band as of late.
While the outdoor portion of the festival had to comply with an 11 p.m. curfew, the final act of this year鈥檚 festival, The Misery Mountain Boys, tore it up for a packed house at the After Dark Party in the Olive Bistro & Lounge.
The day was a smashing success thanks to the many volunteers, donors and the perseverance and determination of the festival鈥檚 organizers, Peggy McCormick, Jamie Robson, Christa Laughlin and Cristin Murphy.
