Miramichi Folk Song Festival

Miramichi Folk Song Festival

August

Miramichi, a timber port along the St. Lawrence River in Canada, also refers to a type of ballad or narrative song associated with Canadian lumber camps. Miramichi became the newest city in the province of New Brunswick when in 1995 the towns of Newcastle and Chatham, as well as several area villages, combined to incorporate one city. The Miramichi Folk Song Festival, held over three to five days in August, is devoted entirely to songs and ballads in the miramichi "come all ye" style that tell stories of adventure, tragedy, and romance. While most of the songs are performed without accompaniment, they are often followed by tunes played on the fiddle, mouth organ, accordion, or guitar. There are also step-dancing and tap-dancing contests.
Founded in 1958, the festival features local folk singers and musicians as well as groups from all over Canada and the United States.

CONTACTS:
Miramichi Folk Song Festival Inc.
P.O. Box 13
Miramichi, NB E1V 3M2 Canada
506-623-2150; fax: 506-623-2261
www.miramichifolksongfestival.com

SOURCES:
GdWrldFest-1985, p. 38
IntlThFolk-1979, p. 65