Folk Fest brings millions into Calgary's economy, concludes report

Folk Fest isa weekend of music and magic down in Prince's Island Parkand, according to Tourism Calgary, it's also a boost for the city's economy.

As the first acts prepare to hit the stage for the 2017 edition of the Calgary Folk Music Festival,a recent studyby the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance shows how the festival is helping boost the economy withmillions of dollars.

Theeconomic impact assessment says the festival generated$6.6 million worth ofeconomic activity in Alberta during the 2016 season, $6 million of which was generated in Calgary.

• Choir! Choir! Choir!, Folk Fest crowd come together to sing with Bruce Cockburn

KerryClarke, artistic director with theCalgary Folk Music Festival, said organizers are proud the festival has been "a positive contribution to Alberta's economy as well as to its culture."

"For 38 years, Calgarians and visitors have celebrated one of North America's most respected, high-profile international festivals on a magical four-day long weekend that brings icons and upstart artists from our backyard and around the globe," Clarke said.

Cultural cornerstone

Events like Folk Festhelp generate "economic activity"through hospitality industries, said CassandraMcAuley, a spokespersonwith Tourism Calgary.

"Whether it's from visitors who are coming into the city and spending money on hotel rooms and restaurantsto the acts that are coming in," said McAuley.

"Folk Festis such an important part of Calgary's culture, as are many of our major cornerstone events, so they give Calgarians a reason to explore their cityand it gives visitors a reason to come to the city as well."

Tickets still on sale

In past years Folk Festhas been a sold out affair.

Despite not selling out in 2016 and festivalpasses still available for the2017 edition,Shayne McBride, chair of the board of directors for the Calgary FolkFest,said people are still coming out to the festival during theeconomic downturn.

"Calgary's becoming more and more of a last-minute town, it feels like. But really strong sales this week over 1,500 in ticket sales just yesterday," McBride said.

"So, the weather looks great and people are sort of solidifying their plans. So, by all accounts we should be getting close to sell outs on the weekend."

In 2016, the festival had 53,000 attendees over four days, including 2,477 out of town visitors who travelled over 100 kilometres to attend Calgary Folk Music Festival.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS|'It was very Canadian': Mountie in red serge chases a bear out of town
• MORE CALGARY NEWS|'It has a tremendous impact': Calgary auto repair shop gives cars to needy single parents

• With files fromAllison Dempster