Princeton’s traditional music festival returns for another year

PENTICTON – A truly unique music festival returns to Princeton this coming weekend.

The 12th annual Princeton Traditional Music Festival features more than 50 acts, from a Doukhobor choir of folk singers to Celtic music and the British Columbia Regiment Band.

The festival is taking place this year Aug. 16 to 18 in the streets of downtown Princeton.

The festival was founded by Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat, singers of traditional song and scholars of ballads, shanties and other folk songs.

“Traditional music is music that has been passed on orally from one generation to the next. It’s music that comes out of communities and is about everyday life. Examples of traditional music are sea shanties, murder ballads, logging, mining and fishing songs as well as dance tunes on instruments such as fiddles, banjos, accordions and harmonicas,” says Bartlett.

The duo have been singing songs of British Columbia themselves for more than 50 years.

"A loyal following to the free festival has built up over the years by regular patrons who keep coming back because the festival feels like a big neighbourhood party. It's not only welcoming and friendly, but it's also a venue where they can hear music they can’t hear anywhere else," says Ruebsaat.

Check out the Princeton music festival website for more details.

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