The Bear Creek Folk Festival (BCFF) sold out for the first time this year.
The festival's headliners Sarah McLachlan, Blue Rodeo and The Strumbellas took the spotlight on the main stage in Muskoseepi Park over the weekend.
The festival had over 30 artists performing across four stages.
BCFF Producer Sarah Card says around 7,500 people attended the festival each day of the weekend.
The festival kicked off on Friday for the public, but volunteers began assembling the site on Wednesday.
The festival enlisted the help of over 650 volunteers this year, with some coming from all over the country.
Travel Alberta said the 2019 festival resulted in $1.1 million in direct and indirect spending in the Grande Prairie area.
Card told Town & Country News in March the festival could provide upwards of $1.4 million in spending in the region this year, according to Travel Alberta figures.
This year the hill was full of patrons all three nights and even a little bit of rain on Friday had some still dancing without any concern.
Setup
Volunteers work to setup stages for the Bear Creek Folk Festival in Muskoseepi Parkon Thursday, Aug. 17. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily) (Photo by Jesse Boily)
Friday
Caleb Hart & Co. kicks off the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Rain didn't stop patrons, such as Tanis Radoux, from enjoying the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)The Fitzgeralds rocked the stage during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Fans dance to the Fitzgeralds . (Photo by Jesse Boily)David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach play tune between sets at the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Katie Pruitt performs at the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Children practice juggling during the Bear Creek Folk Festival. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Children listen to Katie Pruitt during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Friday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The Strumbellas finish off night one of the Bear Creek Folk Festival. (Photo by Jesse Boily) (Photo by Jesse Boily)The Strumbellas play on as fan watches. (Photo by Jesse Boily)
Saturday
Fred Penner during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Fred Penner got the crowd dancing. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)A workshop jam session at stage 1 during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Jig Jam during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Jesse Boily)The Fitzgeralds. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)Steve Poltz (Photo by Jesse Boily)Nick Shoulders. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Reuben and the Dark on Saturday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Reuben and the Dark. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Steve Poltz. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Jig Jam. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)Sarah McLachlan ends the second night to a full crowd at the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Sarah McLachlan. (Photo by Jesse Boily)A couple embraces. (Photo by Jesse Boily)People watch Sarah McLachlan’s performance from outside the sold out show during the Bear Creek Folk Festival at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie on Saturday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Jesse Boily)
Sunday
Stage 1 during the Bear Creek Folk Festival at Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Sunday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Caleb Hart and Jig Jam share a laugh during a jam session at the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Sunday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Jig Jam. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Steve Poltz. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Harald Haugaard & Helene Blum. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Harald Haugaard & Helene Blum (Photo by Jesse Boily)Harald Haugaard joins Jenie Thai on stage 1 for a song. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Garnetta Cromwell got close and personal with her audience. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)Mary Joyce during the Bear Creek Folk Festival. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Tanika Charles. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Tanika Charles. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Aysanabee. (Photo by Jesse Boily)Aysanabee (Photo by Jesse Boily)Blue Rodeo was the final act for the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Sunday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)The finale featured the volunteer team leads and leadership of the festival along with many performing artist during the Bear Creek Folk Festival on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Photo by Jesse Boily)(Photo by Jesse Boily)
