Regina Folk Festival says ‘goodbye’ as organization dissolves

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The Regina Folk Festival (RFF) has cancelled plans to revive its long-standing outdoor music event in the summer of 2025.

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The RFF’s board of directors announced “with heavy hearts” on Tuesday that it’s “no longer possible to continue producing the festival due to financial constraints and reduced operational capacity.”

“The time has come to say goodbye to the Regina Folk Festival,” said a statement posted to its website, adding that the board of directors will now work to dissolve the RFF before inviting membership to a special general meeting this spring to “determine the next steps for the organization.”

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The 2024 festival was cancelled as organizers continued to grapple with financial struggles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. RFF did run alternate indoor programming throughout the fallow year while promising a return in 2025 for the 53rd iteration of the festival at Victoria Park.

The live music event had been disrupted for two years by COVID before returning to its usual format in 2022. That was followed by an unofficial “save the festival” campaign in 2023 as the non-profit organization implemented cost-saving measures that included cancelling the Winterruption festival in January and laying off four people over the summer.

Artistic director Amber Goodwyn and executive director Leo Keiser were the last remaining members of a skeleton staff. Keiser — RFF’s former finance manager — had been promoted after the departure of executive director Josh Haugerud in 2023 but Keiser decided to step down this past summer.

Despite ongoing challenges, organizers had expressed optimism about plans for a fresh start this summer. But the RFF’s statement on Tuesday said that, by the end of January, “it became clear that financial challenges and capacity limitations could not be overcome.”

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Goodwyn will also step away after five years in her role, according to the statement. The organization thanked her for “exceptional leadership through pivotal moments of transition.”

The end of the festival was attributed to “financial pressures from the pandemic, including stagnant or reduced funding, rising costs, and declining ticket sales,” said the statement. “This news is difficult, however we are filled with gratitude for everyone involved with the festival. We are grateful for the dedication, love, and expertise of our volunteers.”

The RFF also said people who had already purchased tickets for 2025 should check their email inboxes for refunds over the next few business days.

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