N.L. Folk Festival announces lineup for 40th anniversary edition

The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer with a lineup chock full of the province's musical heavyweights.

Sherman Downey, Amelia Curran and The Once are the headliners for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights respectively for this year's festival, which runs from Aug. 5 to 7 at Bannerman Park in St. John's.

More local acts include Figgy Duff, Fortunate Ones, the Dardanelles, Ennis Sisters, along with many others. 

"This year is probably the most Newfoundland and Labrador lineup that we've had in a decade," said John Drover, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society.

"We had so much to choose from, that by the time we started to fill up the schedule with local acts that we wanted... that when we looked at it, we went 'wow, that's a real Newfoundland and Labrador lineup.'"

With weather always a factor in the festival's success, Drover said organizers are once again hoping for sunshine.

"There is never a plan for bad weather, it's impossible to do a backup," he said, adding about 12,000 people turned out for last year's festival amid chilly temperatures.

"We'll pray to Mother Nature. We'll do a few weather dances and hope for the best."

For a full list of acts, along with ticket information, head to the festival's website.