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20TH ANNUAL
JOHN ARCAND
FIDDLE FEST AUGUST 10-13 WINDY ACRES
7 km southwest of Saskatoon on Pike Lake Hwy 60
www.johnarcandfiddlefest.com
DISCOVER THIS SUMMER’S BEST ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
THE JOHN ARCAND FIDDLE FEST CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY! August 10 to 13, 2017 will mark a milestone that John Arcand never dreamed would happen. His gift of music was something he wanted to share and he knew for it to be carried forward, it must be passed on to future generations. It was this passion that realized the dream of a festival celebrating old-time fiddle, music, dance and culture. From 1998 until 2001, the two-day festival was a personal labour of love on the part of John Arcand and his wife Vicki. It was an uphill climb, but one they knew was important and worth pursuing. In 2001, the John Arcand Fiddle Fest became a non–profit corporation and in 2011 they received their Charitable Status – both steps allowed the festival to grow and flourish. Today local businesses, our city and our province benefit from the thousands of locals and tourists that attend the event from across Western Canada. The organization is proud of their many accomplishments, which include the completion of their capital campaign to build the main stage facility – the Roof. The Roof not only enhanced the comfort of all attendees, rental of the facility now provides fund-raising for the organization. The Fiddle Fest is now four days long and going strong! The fiddle contest has become one of the largest in Western Canada. Thousands attend and participate in the now over 100 FREE workshops, take in the incredible entertainment and experience Métis culture through the traditional art forms offered in the Cultural Camp. The Arcands look back with pride as they embark on the 20th presentation, remembering the triumphs and the tears,
the friendships, the celebrations and the many who continue to support the Festival and share the love of fiddle, music, dance and Métis culture. “The dream has become a reality,” says John Arcand. “Celebrating 20 years is more than a milestone – it’s phenomenal and it proves that if you believe in what you’re doing and you stick to it, you can accomplish anything. I’m looking forward to the 20th Anniversary, but I’m even more excited about the next 20 years. It’s amazing to me what’s been accomplished and how much more we can still do.”
It’s amazing to me what’s been accomplished and how much more we can still do. The Festival’s success is all about community - the community that attends the event and the community that supports it. That community includes funders, sponsors and volunteers who all come together and make this annual presentation a unique and special event. Local sponsorship shows that the businesses and organizations who support the Festival have the same desire as Arcand: to share the traditions and culture of the Métis people and understand that preserving it for future generations requires engaging young people. The format of the Festival allows for a low, family-friendly one-time gate fee which includes ALL programming: fiddle,
guitar and dance workshops; cultural workshops; daytime programming on the main stage running concurrent with the workshops; evening concerts; old-time dances; and the prestigious John Arcand fiddle contest – all providing outstanding entertainment at $60 for a weekend pass, $25 for a day pass, 12 and under admitted free. There’s a children’s area to keep the little ones entertained, free on site unserviced camping and free shuttle service running hourly from four city locations. (See the schedules listed on this page.) With numerous awards to his credit, including the Molson Prize and the Order of Canada, Arcand is Canada’s most decorated fiddle player. The Gabriel Dumont Institute is publishing a book about John Arcand and the Festival. It will honour his humble beginnings, his legacy and the history of the Festival that started out as his dream. The book, titled “John Arcand – Master of the Metis Fiddle – The Man, The Music, The Festival” will be launched at this year’s 20th Anniversary presentation. The John Arcand Fiddle Fest is easy to find. Windy Acres is just 10 kms southwest of the city on the Pike Lake Highway (#60). You can also check out the location on Google Maps. Make plans now to attend the 20th Anniversary of the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, August 10 to 13. If you haven’t experienced this cultural gem, you should make it a summer priority. It’s right in your backyard! For more details and information, visit www.johnarcandfiddlefest.com, or call the Festival office at (306) 382-0111.
The John Arcand Fiddle Fest is an affordable, family-friendly event.Your $60 weekend pass includes all programming, including fiddle, guitar and dance workshops; cultural workshops; daytime programming; evening concerts; old-time dances and the fiddle competition. SUPPLIED PHOTO
In 2010, following a three-year capital campaign, the Fiddle Fest achieved a major milestone with the construction of a permanent roof over its stage, dance floor and audience seating area. SUPPLIED PHOTO
Route 1 Departures Lawson Heights Mall 8:15 AM 9:45 AM 11:15 AM 12:45 PM 2:15 PM 3:45 PM 5:15 PM 6:45 PM 8:15 PM 9:45 PM 11:15 PM
Heritage Inn 8:35 AM 10:05 AM 11:35 AM 1:05 PM 2:35 PM 4:05 PM 5:35 PM 7:05 PM 8:35 PM 10:05 PM 11:35 PM
Festival Site 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM ** 4:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 PM 10:30 PM * 12:00 AM
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Route 2 Departures Market Mall 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 11:30 PM
Confederation Mall 8:50 AM 10:20 AM 11:50 AM 1:20 PM 2:50 PM 4:20 PM 5:50 PM 7:20 PM 8:50 PM 10:20 PM 11:50 PM
PICK UP LOCATIONS • Mall at Lawson Heights – Western most entrance off Primrose Drive • Heritage Inn – Main Lobby • Market Mall – NE corner by three way stop at Adelaide and McGown • Confederation Mall – south side between Petland and Winners
Festival Site 9:15 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM 1:45 PM 3:15 PM ** 4:45 PM 6:15 PM 7:45 PM 9:15 PM 10:45 PM * 12:15 AM *Last departure Thursday and Friday **Last departure Sunday
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THIS STORY WAS PROVIDED BY THE JOHN ARCAND FIDDLE FEST FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. SAS00377835_1_1