- Mariposa Folk Festival
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The Mariposa Folk Festival was founded in 1961 in Orillia, Ontario. It was held in Orillia for three years before being banned because of disturbances by festival-goers.[1] After being held in various places in Ontario for a few decades, it returned to Orillia in 2000. Ruth Jones, her husband Dr. Crawford Jones, brother David Major and Pete McGarvey organized the first Mariposa Folk Festival in August 1961. The inaugural event, covered by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, featured all Canadian performers. The first festival held in the Toronto area, in 1964, was at Maple Leaf Stadium. The subsequent three festivals were held at Innis Lake in Caledon northwest of the city.
Contents
Festival timeline
The Mariposa Folk Festival has been held in these Ontario locations with these artistic directors:[1]
- 1961 – 64, Oval Park, Orillia; Ted Schaefer.
- 1964, Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto;
- 1965 – 67, Innis Lake, Caledon;
- 1968 – 79, Centre Island, Toronto;
- 1980 – 81, no festival
- 1982, Harbourfront, Toronto;
- 1984 – 91, Molson Park, Barrie;
- 1991 – 2000, Ontario Place, Toronto;
Artistic directors:
- 1961, Ted Schaefer
- 1964 – 77, Estelle Klein
- 1978, Ken Whiteley
- 1979, Estelle Klein
- 1982, Tim Harrison
- 1984, Michael Cooney
- 1985, Ian Bell
- 1986, Rick Bauer
- 1987 – 88, Drago Maleiner
- 1989, Richard Flohill
In addition, over the years there have been some alternative concerts and festivals, splinter groups, sub-festivals, and spin-offs.[1]
50th anniversary
In 2010, Mariposa celebrated its 50th festival by fielding a lineup of classic Mariposa artists and young developing talent. Gordon Lightfoot, Murray McLauchlan, Ian and Sylvia and The Whiteley Brothers took the main stage on the festival's final day.[2] Three new performers passed an audition to perform via the "up and coming showcase" program.[3] The 2010 edition also featured Jason Collett and Serena Ryder, who headlined the mainstage on Friday and Saturday respectively. [4]
External links
- Official Mariposa Folk Festival Website
- National Library of Canada archives
- Mariposa '75 moving images
- Toronto Star article, 1987
References
Categories:- Folk festivals in Canada
- Festivals in Ontario
- Recurring events established in 1961
- Orillia
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