More than 50 musical acts, six stages, and dozens of one-of-a-kind craft vendors will once again draw roughly 55,000 people to Victoria Park over the weekend.
The Home County Music and Art Festival kicks off for its 46th year in the downtown park on Friday. Opening ceremonies begin at 5:45 p.m. on the main stage with the singing of O Canada and a land acknowledgement. That will be followed by a performance by beloved children’s entertainment icon Fred Penner and London's own The Pairs.
Throughout the three-day festival's run, former Barenaked Ladies’ frontman Steven Page, Juno winners Delhi 2 Dublin, Canadian power-pop legends The Odds, children’s performer Saidat, Ottawa's The LYNNeS, and folk duo The Small Glories will all take to the stage.
Tim Fraser, who took over as festival artistic director from Darin Addison this year, notes the key to keeping Home County fresh year-after-year is a mix of old and new entertainers.
Tim Fraser, artistic director of the Home County Music and Art Festival.
"Giving the festival a nice mix of the classic folk festival artists who have been traditional performers, but also trying to breath some new life into it attracts some new, younger people down to the park," said Fraser. "There are a lot of emerging artists whose names people might not know yet, but in two or three years time they will be the ones winning Junos and Grammys. It is all about getting that balance of new and old."
Fraser, a former marketing manager for record label True North Records, brings nearly a decade of experience in programming music and entertainment events to the job. He said after months of planning and hard work he is excited to see how the festival is received by the public.
"I get a real charge out of seeing the smiling faces in the audience, that's why I do what I do," said Fraser. "I've been booking concerts and events for the better part of a decade and that's why I do it - to see people having a lot of fun. Live music and live events are really important for people. It's a mental health initiative in my opinion. They help people escape whatever issues they may be having in their lives and just enjoy themselves."
In addition to the long list of musical acts, the festival includes 120 artisans and craft vendors. They will be offering unique items such as handcrafted jewellery, woodwork, soaps, crystal and glass ornaments, pottery, paintings, pet accessories, and apparel.
"They are all selected by a jury. They have to apply to be a vendor at Home County. Everything has to be handmade by the person selling it, so there is no reselling of other goods coming in," said Fraser. "It makes it a really great place to come and do some shopping."
London’s own Big Daddy Bacon, Total Meltdown gourmet grilled cheese, M&R Orchards ice cream, and the Coffee Barn are among the various food vendors who will set up shop in the park during the festival's run.
This weekend is expected to be London's hottest one to date this year, with Environment Canada anticipating temperatures to soar to 34 C on Friday, 32 C on Saturday and 27 C on Sunday. That has prompted the Middlesex London Health Unit to issue a weekend long extended heat warning.
Fraser reassures, despite the stifling weather, festival-goers will be able to beat the heat in the park.
"There are free water refill stations all throughout the park, so everyone is encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. There is lots of shade in the park as well," said Fraser. "Weather is always a concern because you never know what is going to happen. At the end of the day, we hope that people can still come out and there is lots of opportunities to beat the heat and relax and cool down."
As always, admission to the festival is by donation with all money raised going to cover the costs of music programming and festival expenses.
Home County runs through Sunday.
The full performance schedule can be found by clicking here.