Summerfolk 50: Celebrating 50 Years of Music & Community

Fifty years ago, two Owen Sound brothers -- John and Tim Harrison -- had a dream to create a festival celebration of the music and arts of Grey-Bruce. "The cultural events calendar in Owen Sound ran from September to June and the summers were a blank," recalls John. Tim concentrated on booking artists and learning what he could about organizing festivals. The first committee meeting was held on June 3, 1976, and the first Summerfolk happened at Kelso Beach, August 20-22, 1976.

Fifty years later, the Summerfolk Music and Arts Festival continues to be a celebration of the music and arts of Grey-Bruce; it is also an important event provincially, nationally and internationally as thousands gather each summer to connect and reconnect with the magic of Three Days in Summer.