Update 2023:
This article is from 2022. For more recent news on the Folk Fest, please visit the News section.
UPDATE: JUNE 21:
The vote was held this evening and the vote count was 73 “Yes” votes, and 29 “No” votes. This means the proposed policy has passed. More details can be found here.
Update: June 21:
The Folk Fest has submitted the linked outline of their wristband policy
UPDATE MAY 26:
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival (EFMF) is changing the policy on how they allocate tickets to the Cloverdale Community.
For 2022, the EFMF will be providing 525 tickets at no cost. If needed, they will provide additional tickets at cost. The EFMF will also be handing over the administration of the tickets to the Cloverdale Community League (CCL).
The EFMF has authority to change their policy given there is no requirement for them to provide tickets at no cost to the residents of Cloverdale. In addition to this, the City of Edmonton has stated that 525 tickets at no cost is generous.
In response, the CCL Board has created a draft policy for 2022 Edmonton Folk Fest Tickets. A vote will be held on June 21st, 7PM @ the hall to ratify this policy. Only members of the CCL are eligible to vote on CCL policies.
Here is the draft policy:
- The CCL will administer the ticket process. Note that this is actually stipulated as a function of the board in the bylaws :“oversee the distribution of the Folk Festival passes to members annually”
- All CCL members in the previous “free ticket” zone will be entitled to a ticket for 2022.
- Residents of the Landing will maintain their “early access” ability.
- If more than 525 tickets are required, the league will acquire the tickets. The cost of these tickets will be offset with what the EFMF owes us for the hall rental.
- Because this is a CCL program, in order to obtain an EFMF ticket at no cost, you will need to be a member of the CCL. 2021/2022 Memberships will need to be acquired by June 30th.
- A standing committee will be created to work with the EFMF to create a formalized ticket agreement with the EFMF for 2023 and onward. This committee will also explore creative options to include the Landing.
Before the vote, a Q&A will be held to discuss this policy with the membership.
UPDATE: May 19:
Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting last night. The concerns of the community and also the position of the Edmonton Folk Fest were discussed at length.
The Folk Fest is firm on their proposal to provide the Cloverdale Community League (CCL) 525 wrist bands to the community at no cost. The folk fest will provide additional tickets (should it be required) to the community at cost, settled via deduction from the amount they pay for the Hall.
I have been in discussion with councillor Salvador to help mediate the situation, and will receive more details in the coming days.
We will provide timely updates as the situation progresses. It’s important to note that we will conduct a CCL vote to ratify any new policy. To vote, you must have a community league membership. If you do not have a membership, you can purchase one here. We do not have the authority to administer votes outside of the CCL by-law framework.
I would also like to thank the volunteers on the board who spend many hours away from their jobs, family, and friends to provide a valuable service to the community.
Check back soon,
Dave Bourne
CCL President
The Edmonton Folk Festival has changed its ticket allocation policy for Cloverdale Residents. The CCL will be hosting a special meeting on May 18th (7pm at the hall) to discuss this change with the community. We encourage all community members to attend.
We will be posting updates after the meeting and information about the situation on this page.