The stage is being set in Tudhope Park for the 64th Mariposa Folk Festival, which begins this evening.
More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the event over the weekend. Festival president Pam Carter says 52 per cent of the patrons come from the Simcoe County region, while most others come from across the province.
Carter says a sense of community is what brings people back to the festival every July.
"People who have moved to Toronto, Kingston, or wherever it may be, they'll come back every year and this will be their meeting spot with friends and family," she said. "That's a big part of it."
Carter says the setting at Tudhope Park also plays a role in attracting people back to the festival each year. As much as the festival "puts Orillia on the map," Carter says the community is the driving force behind the event.
"It wouldn't be possible without the supportive community, the volunteers, and the businesses who have embraced it coming back every year."
Around 200 volunteers have been on site since Monday helping to prepare stage equipment, vendor booths, and tented areas. Over the weekend, 800 volunteers will lend a hand in a wide variety of roles.
"Some are doing pre-work such as this site setup and tear down," Carter said. "Others are running bars, running the children's area, running the kitchen, performer hospitality, parking, all our sound crews, and camping."
Most of the festival's volunteers are returnees who are passionate about making the event a success each year, Carter said.
"It's really great because the team leads don't change that often," she explained. "They already know what to do which makes my job way easier."
While the weather forecast alludes to mostly sun and cloud over the weekend, there is a high risk of a thunderstorm on Friday evening.
"We'll just play it by ear," Carter said. "As long as there's no lightning, the show goes on. We just asked people to come with weather gear."
Carter says music fans are most looking forward to the special performance from Bruce Cockburn on Sunday evening.
"He's an icon in the industry," she said. "He played Mariposa in 1969, I think it was his first gig. He was asked to fill in for Neil Young and he was so nervous."
Today's generation of folk fans are looking forward to Amigo the Devil, Noah Cyrus, and Band of Horses on Saturday night.
"I think everybody's taste is a little bit different," she said. "But I think there's something here for everybody."
There is still a limited quantity of tickets remaining, but Carter says they won't last long as the event is heading toward being a sell-out for the third straight year.
To purchase tickets, click here.
