Fourth annual Wintersong Music Festival kicks off Friday
Way back in the pre-pandemic days of 2017, the organizers of the Wintersong Music Festival had a dream: to host the longest contiguous concert by multiple artists without stopping.
The original effort ran for 18 days, raising nearly $100,000 for charities and proving that the concept could work, even in the dead of winter. For their efforts, the organizers secured a Guinness World Record that still stands to this day, with a concert that stretched for a total of 437 hours, 54 minutes and 40 seconds.
This year, the Wintersong Festival isn’t looking to break any world records, it’s just hoping that people have a good time with some top-tier talent performing for free.
(That’s right, it’s a free festival.)
This year’s headliners include Montreal’s Stars, Juno winner Dan Mangan and Men Without Hats, along with countless other acts of large and small scale, performing at more than 15 venues throughout Stouffville, ON on a star- and song-studded weekend to remember.
Most big shows have sold out, organizers announced Monday night, but there are still tickets available for some smaller and free shows this year.
Thousands of music fans are expected to fill the town this weekend, helping boost the local economy while providing an opportunity to hear fantastic music, have a little fun and beat those winter doldrums.
Among the other artists slated to appear are the OMBIIGIZI, a collaboration between Zoon’s Daniel Monkman and Status/Non Status’ Adam Sturgeon, and the Stouffville-based Man Made Forest, along with Jj and the Pillars, Hollowsage, His His, Cassie Noble, Dave and Sarah, Evelynne Ross, I, The Mountain, Old Friends Duo, The Beresfords, The Django Djunkies, The Muffin Men and The Twangsters.
“Wintersong was the last festival to occur in Stouffville in 2020 and the first to return in 2022, and we’re proud to be back in 2023,” says Kevin Ker, from Epidemic Music Group. “We are incredibly excited to be expanding even more this year. The enthusiasm and excitement from the local and musical communities is encouraging and we’re looking forward to the long-overdue opportunity to gather in celebration of live music and support local businesses after a long, quiet two years.”
Curious? Want to know more? Want to try and grab tickets? Everything you need to know can be found here.
