February 6, 2023, Vancouver
Folk Fest Board Rescinds Motion to Dissolve, Launches Fundraising and Volunteer Drive

The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society has voted to withdraw the motion to dissolve the society that had been proposed due to the festival’s financial difficulties. The board has also launched a fundraising and volunteer drive to help save the festival.

“The public said they want to us to try to find a way to keep the folk festival going. We listened,” said folk festival board President Mark Zuberbuhler. “The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has long been, and is currently, in a financially dire condition. Our main goal as the board has always been to see a strong, sustainable festival. Because of the strong support that has come from the community and our partners we now see the possibility of building that festival.”

After the festival virtual town hall held last week where nearly 300 participants shared their thoughts and suggestions, the board met and voted to rescind the motion to dissolve the society. “Our funders, our partners, other festivals, our members, and our  audience have said unequivocally that they want to help with the work of saving the festival,” said Zuberbuhler. “The festival really needs that help now so this is very encouraging.”

He recommended going to the festival website: thefestival.bc.ca to find out how to donate, become a member, or volunteer for the festival rebuild. There is also information available from the virtual town hall meeting held last Wednesday along with the full recording of the town hall. The board will continue to take ideas and suggestions on ways to save the folk fest via the link to the Thought Exchange tool, which can be found on the website.

“We want the community to know that the board is dedicated to finding ways to save the Vancouver Folk Music Festival,” said Zuberbuhler. “Now is the time for that support to translate into action so we can build an enduring and sustainable Vancouver Folk Music Festival. We need people to step up now.”

Media Resources

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About The Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Founded in 1978, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival has been a unique community-based celebration internationally renowned for presenting the finest traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world. As a non-profit operation, the festival has always relied upon ticket sales, member-donations, and community fundraising to cover the costs of producing their annual state-of-the-art three-day music event. thefestival.bc.ca

Media Inquiries

board@thefestival.bc.ca