July 7, 2022

MARIPOSA’S MORE THAN A FESTIVAL FOR FOLKIES, IT’S ECLECTIC AND ELECTRIC BANDS OF FUN

ORILLIA — Cover bands and tributes to the ’60s got you singing the COVID blues?

Want some original tunes to uplift you after two years down in the dumps?

Well set yourself free in the Sunshine City for the 61st Mariposa Folk Festival this weekend.

Pull up a chair and hear live music the likes you only get but once a year here.

Or anywhere else in Canada.

Stephen Lewis and the Big Band of Fun; the Paddling Puppeteers and Lance Anderson’s Mariposa Anniversary Celebration — “60 songs in 60 minutes” that tells the story of the fabled folk festival that began 30 minutes south of Muskoka.

It’s all there starting at 2 p.m. downtown at the free Orillia Stage with Marla & David Ceila, a duo with German roots. They’re followed at 3 p.m. by Vinta, another European-influenced fiddle group. And then it’s the high energy of Red Fox at 4 p.m.

They’re the warm-up acts to the main events at Tudhope Park at the east end of town.

An annual fest that’s a feast for folkies and music lovers of all genres — serious and fun.

The Main Stage may be the focus with Mavis Staples, Blue Rodeo and Blackie and Rodeo Kings.

But for fans for which Mariposa is their annual Mecca it’s the intimate stages stretched throughout the park that are the equal draw. Everyone has a front row seat — on the grass or in their lawn chair.

Acoustic in nature the tiny tents don’t need amplifiers even if they have them.

It’s those surprise acts like Rup Loops, Dwayne Gretzky, Tommy Prine and This Way North that draw crowds along the peninsula on Lake Couchiching.

And there’s always the awaited appearance of Orillia’s own Gordon Lightfoot who puts in a surprise guest appearance or two.