THUNDER BAY – LIVING – The popular spring “Trip around the world” is off for 2025.
In a statement, Jeanetty Jumah says, “Unfortunately, Folklore Festival 2025 is being cancelled by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association Folklore Festival Organizing Committee. We have always been able to count on our supporters, and our community to ensure we can run a family-friendly, affordable, fully accessible, volunteer run Festival coordinated by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association Folklore Festival Organizing Committee.
“Folklore Festival, the Region’s most colourful event of the year has taken visitors and participants on a “Trip Around the World” in two fun-filled days allowing them to experience the magnificent sights, sounds and flavours woven into the fabric of our country by our various ethnocultural and Indigenous Communities. We have been proud to celebrate the rich cultural heritages that make Canada one of the greatest and most diverse nations on our planet.
“Unfortunately, high rising costs and safety issues have impacted our plans. Folklore is a family event that brings together our community and increasing ticket prices, or increasing Booth Rental costs meaning vendors would have to pass on their additional costs to visitors, and this all would take a heavy toll on Attendance numbers in these already very challenging financial times for Folklore visitors.
“Many families and Seniors have limited finances and could not afford to come if we raise prices for our family-friendly, affordable event. Our Committee has considered ending on Saturday night at 8pm for safety and eliminating our Saturday Night Feature Entertainers to save some costs but also face, increasing Gardens Security, Electrical, and other related costs. Entertainment Equipment needed to present our amazing volunteer Entertainment performers are just some of the rising costs we also face. City Parking Prices have skyrocketed in Thunder Bay and the free Saturday parking Folklore enjoyed for so many years is gone. The prices of products will continue to increase for next year which we cannot control as well. There are also serious safety issues for attendees around the Fort William Gardens which we were made aware of that we need to take into consideration for our Folklore visitors, participants, and young volunteers.
“In addition, we, as with many other local groups who are trying to run events to make our city a better place, receive no financial support from our city. Our Sponsors are also facing tougher financial decisions and can now provide more in-kind support than actual cash which Folklore needs to help pay increasing expenses. Funding grants while applied for are not being granted.”
Folklore Festival Organizing Committee has passed this Recommendation: We take a year off and re-evaluate our capability to run Folklore in 2026. We have been in contact with many other Festival organizers, and they have made less money or lost money and are also in a similar position and will make their own decisions.
“Thank you to our past sponsors, entertainers, Food Booth groups, exhibitors, artists, ambassadors, volunteers, our Volunteer Folklore Committee, media, and Folklore Festival visitors. We will revisit and reevaluate our decision for Folklore Festival 2026. Thank you to all Board Members and Staff for their involvement with Folklore over the years.”
