Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Mariposa 2015

charlene · 07-07-2015, 01:36 PM

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2015/07...cal-grand-slam

There is something magical about the Mariposa Folk Festival, widely hailed as the grand dame of music festivals in Canada.

Over the weekend, that was abundantly evident once again as the sun glimmered on the calm waters of Lake Couchiching, providing an idyllic backdrop for 24,000 music lovers who made their annual pilgrimage to Tudhope Park to pay homage to the legends, stars and next generation of headliners at the iconic three-day event.

Since the festival's return to Orillia 15 years ago, Mariposa has grown and blossomed into one of Ontario's -- if not Canada's -- favourite festivals. Partly, it's that eclectic and enigmatic mix of musicians and performers; partly, it's the intimate outdoor setting framed by trees and water; partly, it's the opportunity to participate in a workshop with an icon; partly, it's the excitement that ripples through the crowd when whispers turn to reality and Gordon Lightfoot makes an impromptu visit to the stage.

For different people, it's different things, but to the community that is created for three music- and wonder-filled days, it's that communal feeling of being part of something special, where you can revel in the electric atmosphere of the pub-tent stage or relax in a lawn chair while soaking up the sun and listening to the artist performing on the main stage.

In addition to the music, there are the artisans, the food, the opportunity to camp; it's where you meet old friends and meet new ones. While the atmosphere is lively and, at times, raucous, it is also safe and comfortable with a mix of ages that runs the gamut from the very young to the very old.

The festival, run out of town in the 1960s before wandering like a nomad to various venues and staggering toward extinction, has, upon its return to Mariposa, matured into one of the premier events in the province. In fact, the festival's success was, at least partly, why Folk Music Ontario had its second annual retreat in Orillia earlier this year. This time, the provincial agency's focus was on logistics as 25 officials from 16 festivals used the Mariposa Folk Festival as its model. Sessions on planning and waste management highlighted how Mariposa has adapted over the years. For example, in 2012, Mariposa conducted a waste audit. Following that progressive, eye-opening examination, organizers switched to compostable (corn-based) plates and cups and eliminated water bottles. Officials also worked with the active trails committee to increase the size of the bike lock-up to encourage people to commute to the event and further reduce its carbon footprint.

Sandy Irwin, who organizes the Stewart Park Festival in Perth and was in town for the conference, called Mariposa "one of the granddaddies of festivals. They provide a sustainable model."

Mariposa is a model of what a music festival can be. It has proven to be popular and sustainable and has hit its stride in old age -- like so many who come to Mariposa later in life. To those passionate and committed volunteers, to those who work tirelessly to attract and ink talent, to those who organize and strategize and find sponsors, to those who attend, to those who perform, a heartfelt thank you. Once again, in 2015, you hit all the right notes, producing a community soundtrack that is quintessentially Mariposa.

07-07-2015, 01:36 PM	#6
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,004	Re: Mariposa 2015 - Lightfoot performs 2 tunes. http://www.orilliapacket.com/2015/07...cal-grand-slam There is something magical about the Mariposa Folk Festival, widely hailed as the grand dame of music festivals in Canada. Over the weekend, that was abundantly evident once again as the sun glimmered on the calm waters of Lake Couchiching, providing an idyllic backdrop for 24,000 music lovers who made their annual pilgrimage to Tudhope Park to pay homage to the legends, stars and next generation of headliners at the iconic three-day event. Since the festival's return to Orillia 15 years ago, Mariposa has grown and blossomed into one of Ontario's -- if not Canada's -- favourite festivals. Partly, it's that eclectic and enigmatic mix of musicians and performers; partly, it's the intimate outdoor setting framed by trees and water; partly, it's the opportunity to participate in a workshop with an icon; partly, it's the excitement that ripples through the crowd when whispers turn to reality and Gordon Lightfoot makes an impromptu visit to the stage. For different people, it's different things, but to the community that is created for three music- and wonder-filled days, it's that communal feeling of being part of something special, where you can revel in the electric atmosphere of the pub-tent stage or relax in a lawn chair while soaking up the sun and listening to the artist performing on the main stage. In addition to the music, there are the artisans, the food, the opportunity to camp; it's where you meet old friends and meet new ones. While the atmosphere is lively and, at times, raucous, it is also safe and comfortable with a mix of ages that runs the gamut from the very young to the very old. The festival, run out of town in the 1960s before wandering like a nomad to various venues and staggering toward extinction, has, upon its return to Mariposa, matured into one of the premier events in the province. In fact, the festival's success was, at least partly, why Folk Music Ontario had its second annual retreat in Orillia earlier this year. This time, the provincial agency's focus was on logistics as 25 officials from 16 festivals used the Mariposa Folk Festival as its model. Sessions on planning and waste management highlighted how Mariposa has adapted over the years. For example, in 2012, Mariposa conducted a waste audit. Following that progressive, eye-opening examination, organizers switched to compostable (corn-based) plates and cups and eliminated water bottles. Officials also worked with the active trails committee to increase the size of the bike lock-up to encourage people to commute to the event and further reduce its carbon footprint. Sandy Irwin, who organizes the Stewart Park Festival in Perth and was in town for the conference, called Mariposa "one of the granddaddies of festivals. They provide a sustainable model." Mariposa is a model of what a music festival can be. It has proven to be popular and sustainable and has hit its stride in old age -- like so many who come to Mariposa later in life. To those passionate and committed volunteers, to those who work tirelessly to attract and ink talent, to those who organize and strategize and find sponsors, to those who attend, to those who perform, a heartfelt thank you. Once again, in 2015, you hit all the right notes, producing a community soundtrack that is quintessentially Mariposa.