Crowds gather for 10th edition of Montreal Folk Fest

The 10thedition of theMontreal Folk Festival kicked off this week along the Lachine Canal.

Crowds gathered at the event to enjoy open-airfolk, rootsand bluegrass concerts.

The first edition of the Montreal Folk Festival was a one-day event that attracted around 500 people.

It's evolved during the past decade to include indoor and outdoor programming.

Last year, the festival hosted more than 30,000fans over five days.

For this year's lineup, organizers brought together 30 artists for the festival, many of whom are performing for free at the outdoor festival stage.

This year's ticketed indoor events featured tribute concerts to the work of Penny Lang and Willie Nelson.

Located at theCentennial Esplanade, the festival site is walking distance from St-Henri Metro station.

Along with some well-known Canadian folk acts, the festival also featured some homegrown Quebec performerslikeMarie-ve Roy andTireux d'Roches.

The free event was bustling with familiespartaking in face painting and inflatable games.

• That's all folk! CBC Montreal at Festival on the Canal

Four years ago, the festival created a youth bursary to encourage local kids to pursue their passion for music.

TheLhasa de Sela Youth Bursary for Excellence in Musichas since been awarded to 10 people.

The festivals ends Sunday, June 18, with an 8 p.m. concert byCanadian singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer.

• Outside with Sarah Harmer: Mixing music and social justice