Ahhh, Folk Fest. My favourite (non-holiday) event of the year. There’s not a single other time in my life when I am as relaxed as I am at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Listening to music with dirt between your toes never feels so good.

This year’s performance lineup is looking pretty great too. So far I’m most looking forward to seeing the darling Neko Case, Iron & Wine, Great Lake Swimmers and Joe Pug. The awesome Xavier Rudd is once again gracing Winnipeg with his killer live show and the incomparable K.D. Lang will be headlining the Main Stage. And of course, the real beauty of the Fest is all the new bands you discover on the four days of schlepping chairs across the fields, and the new friends you make while drinking in the campground.

So if you haven’t already, I encourage you to take advantage of the early bird prices (available until May 31) and <Ghost of Nick Hill> “C’monnnnnnnnn down!” </Ghost of Nick Hill>. If you’re new to the festival, come, I promise you won’t regret. And if you’re an old hand, well, get your tickets before some of the more toolish folks buy up the camping passes.