| Location(s) | Miramichi, New Brunswick Canada |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1958 – present |
| Founded by | Louise Manny |
| Date(s) | August |
| Genre | Roots, folk |
| Website | http://www.miramichifolksongfestival.com |
The Miramichi Folksong Festival, the oldest folk music festival in Canada, is held annually in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.It was established by Louise Manny in response to a request from Lord Beaverbrook that she document the traditional songs of his boyhood home. It is the longest continuous event of its kind in Canada and one of the longest in North America. The first festival was held in September 1958 at the Beaverbrook Town Hall and Theatre in Newcastle, New Brunswick. The festival is still held at this location, now in August of each year.[1][2]
Although the festival now is an important draw for local tourism, and features some mainstream talent, the original and primary purpose of the festival is to preserve local culture; thus, highlights of the festival include many amateur, often elderly, local performers.
Traditional lyrics and music highlighted by the festival have been preserved in Louise Manny's book, Songs of the Miramichi, and in several recordings including a 1962 Folkways Records recording Folksongs of the Miramichi: Lumber and River Songs from the Miramichi Folk Fest, Newcastle, New Brunswick.
Allan Kelly- (September 23, 1903- October 1, 2008) was one of the most popular singers and ardent supporters of the Festival. One of his earliest performances, The Petite Moine, is recorded on the 1962 album.
Raymond & Frank Estey- brothers from Sevogle N.B, the two sang annually each year. Afterword, Estey's entertained the crowd by telling their famous ghost stories.