The 35th annual Summerfolk Festival in Owen Sound goes into the books as a wet, but magical weekend.
Those comments from Artistic Director Richard Knechtel — as the annual music and crafts festival closed Sunday night at Kelso Beach Park.
While final attendance numbers will be tallied today — it’s estimated about 12 thousand people went through the Summerfolk gates.
Knechtel feels the tone for the weekend was set on Friday, perhaps earlier than other festivals as the performers and audience were set to go.
Knechtel feels all 54 performers — from Sarah Harmer to Lenny Gallant — brought their best to the stage, and that too made the weekend “magical.”
He notes even the young performers put on a good show.
Knechtel admits he was also impressed with how many people stayed at Kelso Beach despite the brief rain downpour on Saturday afternoon.
Knechtel says he was also pleased to see the workshops were popular again.
Knechtel feels Summerfolk ranks among the top 10 folk festivals in North America because of its community and intimate setting at Kelso Beach Park.
This was Knechtel’s fourth year as Artistic Director of Summerfolk.
Knechtel says he will take some time off before deciding whether to come back for another year.
