Summertime Splendor

Winnipeg Folk Fest

Last weekend we ventured way up north to the great Winnipeg Folk Festival. It was my first outdoor festival camping experience and what an experience it was. The acts were a lively mixture of folk (obviously), rock, electronic, gypsy punk, indie, and anything else one can imagine.

Acts that caught our eye included The Wainright Sisters, Loudon Wainright III, Milky Chance, Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers, The Funk Bandits, The Lemon Bucket Orchestra, and Ryan Adams.

The fare on the concert grounds was as diverse as the lineup. Vendors served Indian, Thai, pierogis, authentic Canadian poutine, pizza, burgers, and Greek food. There were wonderful vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free options. Not only was each day a matter of what acts we needed to see--but we had to decide what kind of food we would pair it with.

The atmosphere in the campground was ultra mellow, interspersed with some hoots, hollers, bongo drums and various other sounds of merriment.

The whole time we were there, we were surrounded by music. Whether it would be an open jam session at the Vinyl Village or one of countless drum circles. Days later bongo drums still infiltrate my dreams.

We met a plethora of interesting people, whether it was a smiling toddler screaming “Happy Folkfest” from his father’s shoulders, or Kent, a colorful Vietnam veteran speaking about the early days and wild times of the first few Folk Fests.

Art installations peppered the grounds ranging from a large-scale Trojan horse in the campground to freshly cut flower mandalas on the festival grounds.

The handmade village featured the handiwork of artisans from throughout Canada: clothes, jewelry, pottery, body products. Who would have thought that we would get a bit of Christmas shopping done while camping--because you know, it’s never too early to start.

Many lessons were learned at the Folk Festival this year. We learned that while attending a festival, it’s not all about the music. It’s about coming together and meeting interesting people, the importance of bug spray and a hot shower. Most importantly, we learned the mystique behind the bun--whether it be a man bun or not: the bobby pins are gender-neutral, readily available roach clips on hand. Not that we’re speaking from experience...

A family affair

The Red River Valley Fair is in full swing this week. HPR participated in their media day and got the lowdown on the midway, ranging from fair food samplings to the latest rides.

I had a chance to spend a day with the hard-working people behind the midway magic, two of which were the legendary Jerry Murphy himself, the co-proprietor of Murphy Brothers Expositions, and John Strong owner of The John Strong Sideshow.

It’s inspiring to hear the stories of folks who have spent a lifetime in an industry most of us can only dream about -- fifty-plus years in business. The changes in the industry must be astounding: advancements in ride technology, the transformation of the midway--how did live acts get turned to the wayside -- and how does one keep an audience hungry for stimulation satisfied?

“The biggest change in the carnival industry is the cleanliness and employee honesty with customers. In the amusement industry, if you go out on the midway today you get a fair shake, because most of the people in the games are selling merchandise.” says Murphy, “If they have a teddy bear and they know it costs whatever--so they have to sell it at that price and make a little profit. Before in the 30s, 40s, 50s, it wasn’t that good. They were very hard on the customer. They didn’t care about it, and today they care about it.”

It’s easy to romanticize and idealize the idea of running away to join the carnival, but the men and women who make it happen put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into bringing you the best show they can.

Murphy has been all over the United States, and cites North Dakota as one of his favorite places because of the people that inhabit it. He may say that to all the alt weekly writers, but coming from someone who cut his teeth on the grit of the small fairs that dotted the Midwest, and seeing the sparkle in his eye, Jerry Murphy knows what he’s talking about.