›› Kathryn Juricic
Our neighbourhood celebration has grown—but remains a gathering of friends. Every year amazing local musicians and performers grace the gazebo and this year is no different. FernFest is free and for all ages, so alongside these musical wonders, The Field of Dreams, Artisan Market, Non-Profit Hub, Kid’s Stage, and Senior’s High Tea add the ingredients that make FernFest a lively music, arts, and community festival—right in our neighbourhood!
A lot going on? Yes. Here’s a quick run through of the two-day fest: friends, magic, music, bubbles, hugs, Fernwood.
On Friday, June 22nd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm you’ll find musicians performing under the gazebo, the FernFest BBQ, Phillips Beer & Merridale Cider, and the Vinyl Envy hosted Merch Table in Fernwood Square.
Saturday, June 23rd is a morning to evening affair when things get pretty wild, in the most beautiful PG kind of way.
We’re hosting a Community Bagel Breakfast in Fernwood Square at 9:00am. After that, bring the kids over to the Field of Dreams (aka the Vic High Field) for the Kidical Mass Bike Parade (decorations at 10:00am & ride at 11:00am). The parade brings you back to the fun, all happening in Fernwood Square and the Field of Dreams.
The Field of Dreams runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and is genuinely a magical place for the kiddos. Bring your nieces and nephews, grandchildren, siblings, kids. With a children’s stage, face-painting, a custom painted and locally foraged cardboard castle, balloon twisting, Kidical Mass Bike Parade, circus performances, and community art projects—along with bubbles big and small floating above! One parent shared what they love about the Field of Dreams, “The sense of safe, fun, all-ages community activities, and absence of low-quality junk.” Right on, couldn’t have put that better myself.
And while the kids are running wild, you can peruse the Artisan Market (read more here), be treated at the Heart and Hands Community Acupuncture tent, have meaningful conversations at the Non-Profit Hub, or take in some lovely tunes at the all-female fronted, singer-songwriter Market Stage. See what all the fuss is about and enjoy a tasty bevvy in the sunshine (or not) in Fernwood Square for the awesome line-up of bands playing under the gazebo. See the full FernFest 2018 Program here.
FernFest is for everyone. We take inclusivity to heart, as FernFest is one of the ways that Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Community Centre interacts with our larger community while embodying our organization’s principles and values. FernFest will also always be free. Reflecting on last year, one performer shared, “Everyone I encountered treated me with respect and kindness.”
And a long-time FernFest-er said their favourite part is, “the overwhelming community vibe.” Phew, mission accomplished.
You’ll find all different types of performances and performers at FernFest and that isn’t by accident. We’re dedicated to creating a neighbourhood that is vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive, and that includes you! Please join us for this celebration, after all, it takes a community! What’s your favourite part? Happy FernFest!
For FernFest bands and links to their music, please visit: fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/performers
Find all of our vendors at the Artisan Market here: fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/artisan-market
Sign-up to be a volunteer: fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/volunteer
RSVP on Facebook: FernFest 2018
Follow us on Instagram: @fernwoodnrg
