Dozens of local and regional performers on six stages will make Victoria Park a music lover's haven this weekend.
The 44th annual Home County Music and Art Festival kicks off in the downtown park with opening ceremonies at 5:45pm on Friday. Juno Award winner Susan Aglukark will join folk singers Lisa LeBlanc, Royal Wood, and The Marrieds for opening day performances on the main stage.
In total, the three-day festival will see 64 traditional and contemporary folk acts perform.
"New this year we have our emerging artist stage that is going to be inside the local craft beer garden. It will see the likes of Londoner Amanda Lynn Stubley, and Korean-Canadian folk-roots-soul musician Janice Jo Lee," said Darin Addison, festival artistic director. "This is the first year we have had programmed music in the beer garden. That is eight new performance positions for local and regional artists. It represents some significant growth for the festival.
Addison notes this is also the first year the festival has been able to include three different craft brewers with Toboggan Brewing Company, Anderson Craft Ales, and London Brewing Co-operative setting up at the park.
Vegan fast food truck Globally Local and London's own Big Daddy Bacon help make up the 14 food vendor contingent, proving there is something to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Nearly 100 original craft vendors will also be spread throughout the park. Among them will be a new roots tent, an incubator for crafters new to the festival.
While there is a bit of rain in the forecast Friday and Sunday, Addison hopes it won't deter people from visiting the festival.
"We estimate in previous years between 50,000 and 55,000 came to Home County. We would love to see that number grow to between 55,000 and 60,000 this year. We just need mother nature to cooperate," said Addison.
As in past years, admission is by donation with all money raised going to cover the costs of music programming and festival expenses.
Home County runs Friday 5:45pm - 11pm, Saturday noon - 11pm, and Sunday noon-9:30pm.
To see the full performance schedule visit www.homecounty.ca.