Photo from www.homecounty.caPhoto from www.homecounty.ca
London

Home County Welcomes Col. Hadfield And More

The Home County Music and Arts Festival opens tonight at Victoria Park for the 42nd time.

Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30pm and Col. Chris Hadfield emcees the main stage entertainment starting at 6pm.

For its first 38 years the festival was called "Folk", and Artistic Director Darin Addison explains the name "Music and Art Festival" covers more ground.

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Addison says with five stages, you're sure to find something you like to listen to somewhere in the park. All of the musicians are Canadian and this year's lineup include Garnet Rogers, Sylvia Tyson, the Grapes of Wrath and Skydiggers.

Addison says his dream of getting Col. Hadfield to emcee on Friday became a reality after music producer Paul Mills moved back to London and joined the Home County board. Mills produced the collaboration between Hadfield and The Barenaked Ladies when Hadfield was still on the International Space Station.

"That was sort of my 'in'," says Addison.

Admission to Home County is a suggested donation of $5. Festival-goers can rent stainless steel plates and cutlery for $3 from some food vendors. The festival runs Friday from 6pm-11pm, Saturday from noon-11pm and Sunday from noon-9:30pm.

For the Home County schedule, click HERE.

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