'We're very happy': Edmonton Folk Fest ready to welcome music fans on the hill
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival starts on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)
For the next four days, the hills at Gallagher Park are going to be packed with folk music fans.
One of the capital city's most popular summer events, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, starts Thursday night and runs until Sunday.
"Everything's going well. Ticket sales are great. Weather forecast is great. Doesn't get any better. We're very happy. We're really happy. The smoke stayed away," festival producer Terry Wickham told CTV News Edmonton at Gallagher Park on Wednesday.
"What we don't like to see is 35 C. It sparks forest fires that can affect us with smoke, and it's really hot to deal with. We're looking at 23 to 25 C temperatures, which actually is perfect."
Wickham is also excited about the lineup, which includes headliners Black Pumas, Blue Rodeo, and Alison Krauss and Robert Plant.
"There's all sorts of Grammy Award winners," he said. "Black Pumas are very popular. We had them confirmed in 2020, but of course, that festival didn't happen. So delighted to see them back. Ben Howard has been here before, very popular. Blue Rodeo, of course. There's only about 80 tickets left now for Blue Rodeo tomorrow night. And of course, the closing Alison Krauss with Robert Plant. Alison's been with us a few times before, but Robert, it's his first time at the festival, so we're really, really pleased about that."
The festival is offering free admission for Jasper residents Thursday night after wildfire destroyed part of the mountain town.
Wickham hopes the gesture will help Jasper residents find a "sense of community" as they remain away from their homes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
Canadian fast food chains create value menus to win back customers
Canada’s restaurant industry is in a slump as money conscious consumers are eating out less and spending less when they do go out.
Forgotten Cheetos snack bag can have 'world-changing' impact, U.S. national park says
A U.S. national park is cautioning tourists about how a small bag of Cheetos could have an enormous impact.
Man accused of setting on fire a Ugandan Olympic athlete dies of burns
A man accused of dousing gasoline on an Ugandan Olympic athlete, causing her death days later, has succumbed to burns sustained in the attack, according to the Kenyan hospital where he was treated.
'Blown away by your kindness': Meredith Gaudreau thanks Calgary in heartfelt eulogy
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, gave a sincere thank you to Calgary for the outpouring of support for her and the Gaudreau family.
Frenchman on trial for rape of drugged wife is hospitalized, lawyer says
A 71-year-old man on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her in their home was hospitalized on Tuesday for medical checks and treatment, his lawyer told journalists.
Apple's new AirPods are also hearing aids. Can they really save you thousands of dollars?
During its glossy product announcement event on Tuesday, Apple unveiled a new role for its latest AirPods Pro model: medical device.
6 things to watch for when Kamala Harris debates Donald Trump
The fundamental question ahead of their meeting in Philadelphia, one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation, is whether – and how – the presidential candidates can deliver a compelling message.
PwC tells employees it will use location data to police 'back-to-office' rule
PricewaterhouseCoopers will start tracking where its employees in the United Kingdom work, in a bid to dial back its current work-from-home culture.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
Calgary's water use drops, residents able to collect rainwater
Some overnight rain in Calgary brought relief to residents worried about their gardens and lawns as well as city officials concerned about the strain on the city's water system.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Scattered showers and cooler highs for the next few days
A frontal system that rolled through Calgary on Monday brought strong wind and served as the prequel for a changing weather pattern.
-
TC Energy's sale of stake in pipeline to Indigenous groups delayed
TC Energy Corp. says a deal to sell a minority stake in its Western Canadian natural gas transmission network to a consortium of Indigenous communities has been delayed.
Lethbridge
-
'No consequences': Lethbridge police chief concerned about changes to photo radar
Lethbridge’s police chief says changes to the use of photo radar in Alberta are going to increase the number of violations being handed out to those breaking traffic enforcement laws.
-
Lethbridge police seek man wanted on warrants
Police in Lethbridge, Alta., need your help tracking down Dylan Ivan Sokol, who is wanted on warrants.
-
Lethbridge police, Alberta Sheriffs crack down on dangerous driving
Lethbridge police issued 94 traffic violation tickets during a weekend blitz.
Saskatoon
-
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
-
Sask. education minister responds to incident of student being lit on fire
Saskatchewan's Education minister says the incident at a Saskatoon school where a student was set on fire is "horrible," but could have been worse.
-
Drug toxicity deaths in Sask. seemingly on course to match record set in 2023
Saskatchewan's overdose crisis is tragically on par with last year's record breaking total, with more than 200 people having lost their lives to accidental overdoses in the first seven months of the year.
Regina
-
Drug toxicity deaths in Sask. seemingly on course to match record set in 2023
Saskatchewan's overdose crisis is tragically on par with last year's record breaking total, with more than 200 people having lost their lives to accidental overdoses in the first seven months of the year.
-
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
-
Sask. First Nations celebrate 150th anniversary of Treaty 4 signing
For the next week, hundreds of people from many First Nations in Saskatchewan will be coming together for the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4.
Vancouver
-
Police union calls for 'fulsome public safety plan' in B.C. ahead of provincial vote
The national union for RCMP officers is seeking to make public safety and bail reform a British Columbia election issue after repeat offenders were arrested for violent crimes, including a pair of gruesome attacks in downtown Vancouver last week.
-
Jury deliberations in Kane Carter murder trial heading into fifth day
Jury deliberations in the murder trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a rival gang member and an innocent teen passerby in 2018 will enter a fifth day Tuesday.
-
B.C. files unexplained wealth order following Vancouver shooting investigation
British Columbia's Public Safety Ministry says it has filed an unexplained wealth order application in court following a 2023 shooting at a Vancouver home.
Vancouver Island
-
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
-
BC United sources leak 'extremism' file on B.C. Conservative director
Sources in the Official Opposition BC United party have leaked a file on the "extremism" of the B.C. Conservatives' executive director, Angelo Isidorou, less than two weeks after the parties' leaders announced a deal to work together.
-
CTV News Reality Check: Why reopening Riverview wouldn’t solve B.C.’s mental health crisis
Every time British Columbians are rattled by an act of random violence like last week’s shocking homicide and maiming in downtown Vancouver, there are calls to reopen the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, but that’s not the solution some think it is.
Toronto
-
'Hard on all of us': Petition pushes back on Ontario high school telling students to keep backpack in lockers
There is confusion at one Mississauga, Ont. high school over whether backpacks are allowed in class. Grade 12 student Vani Kumar started a petition to bring backpacks back after St. Francis Xavier Secondary School sent out a letter obtained by CTV News Toronto telling students, “Knapsacks/bags are to be kept in your locker upon arrival at school."
-
Female critically injured after shooting on QEW in Mississauga
One woman has been taken to a trauma centre with critical injuries following a shooting on the QEW in Mississauga early Tuesday morning, Peel police say.
-
Hoggard to seek bail today pending attempt to appeal sexual assault conviction
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard is expected to seek bail at a court hearing today, weeks after beginning to serve his sentence for a sexual assault conviction.
Montreal
-
Nearly half of Canadians want federal election after NDP-Liberal agreement ends, poll suggests
Following the announcement of the end of the NDP-Liberal confidence and supply agreement, a new national survey reveals that 47 per cent of Canadians would support calling a federal election to be called, while only 34 per cent would prefer not to.
-
CAQ still hasn't fulfilled promise to create 37,000 daycare spots
Francois Legault's government is far from its commitment to create 37,000 subsidized daycare spaces by March of next year.
-
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh convenes caucus in Montreal to plot post-deal path forward
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau's Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal.
Atlantic
-
Elsipogtog First Nation man dead after N.B. RCMP shooting, SiRT investigating
An investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed by RCMP in Elsipogtog First Nation, N.B.
-
Airline makes inaugural flight between Maritime cities
Boarding passes are now being issued for the newest airline flying out of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
-
N.S. rent cap extension futile due to 'massive loophole' in rental system: advocates
Housing advocates and opposition parties say a loophole in Nova Scotia's rental housing rules is making the provincial government's proposed rent cap essentially useless.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba grand chief to lie in state at provincial legislature Wednesday
Manitobans will have the chance to say their final goodbyes to Grand Chief Cathy Merrick this week.
-
As warming threatens polar bear tourism, a Canadian town adapts and thrives
Change has broken, remade and continues to reshape this remote town where tundra meets forest on the shore of Hudson Bay.
-
‘It’s a mistake’: Downtown housing complex slated for demolition
Winnipeg's Centre Village social housing complex will face the wrecking ball less than 15 years after it was built.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING O-Train service resumes after 'technical issue with cameras'
The O-Train was out of service for more than an hour Tuesday morning "due to a technical issue with cameras on the trains," according to OC Transpo. Full train service resumed just after 8 a.m.
-
'A lot closer than we were': Senators owner provides update on talks for new arena at LeBreton Flats
Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer admits there's been "more hurdles than meets the eyes" in talks to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats, with the clock ticking towards the deadline to finalize a deal.
-
Heritage designations recommended for several Rideau Street properties despite owners' objections
Several properties on Rideau Street could soon be given heritage designations, despite objections by the property owners.
Northern Ontario
-
Video shows tornado moving ashore in northern Ontario
A beautiful Labour Day weekend at the lake was interrupted by some extreme weather as a tornado touched down in northern Ontario.
-
Hunt widens for man who allegedly threw scalding coffee on baby
A man wanted for allegedly throwing scalding coffee on a baby in an unprovoked attack at a park in the northern Australian state of Queensland is now the subject of an international manhunt.
-
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
Barrie
-
Opioid Crisis Alert issued after 8 drug overdoses
Eight people overdosed, including one fatality during the past week in Grey Bruce County.
-
Taxi smashed after crash with van
Two-vehicle crash in Midland Monday afternoon.
-
City crews dismantle homeless encampment in Barrie park
City crews arrived at a Barrie park on Monday to dismantle a homeless encampment where roughly two dozen people had been living.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener, Ont. woman says puppy was stolen during break-in
A Kitchener, Ont. woman is pleading for the return of her puppy, an eight-month-old French Bulldog named Sanchi.
-
Traffic stop in Waterloo ends with seizure of 200+ guns
Police have seized over 200 firearms as part of a weapons investigation that began in Waterloo.
-
Three people charged with forcible confinement in connection with Guelph home invasion
On July 24 around 1:35 p.m., a man and woman were sleeping in their apartment on Woolwich Street when three people with their faces covered by bandanas entered, police said.
London
-
TVDSB names interim director of education
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has named an interim Director of Education. The Board of Trustees has named Bill Tucker to the position, effective immediately, following the news that Mark Fisher would be taking a leave.
-
Director of education for TVDSB on leave of absence
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has announced that Director of Education Mark Fisher is on a leave of absence.
-
Charge laid after fatal crash on Walpole Island
Just before 3 a.m. on Aug. 25, Lambton OPP, Walpole Island police and EMS, responded to the crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian — the vehicle fled the scene.
Windsor
-
Motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries taken to hospital by friends
Chatham-Kent police say a 25-year-old motorcyclist was taken to hospital by friends after a crash in Camden Township.
-
Charge laid after fatal crash on Walpole Island
Just before 3 a.m. on Aug. 25, Lambton OPP, Walpole Island police and EMS, responded to the crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian — the vehicle fled the scene.
-
Windsor tax levy increase for 2025 could be highest in 20 years, says mayor
After years of keeping tax increases below the rate of inflation, Windsor may be facing its most challenging budget year yet.
