WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL, AND HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?

 

This year, Whoop & Hollar's main day of programming will be held at Cottonwood Acres (home site on Provincial Road 331 near Southport, MB) on Saturday, August 26th.

 

The festival's second day, "Folk in the Park", will take place at Island Park's Ukrainian Bandstand in Portage la Prairie, MB on Sunday, August 27th.

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On Saturday, ticket prices can be found here (includes all workshops, tent camping, and concerts). On Sunday, the afternoon concerts are FREE of charge.

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HOW FAR IS THE PARKING AREA FROM THE MUSIC & TENT CAMPGROUND?

 

The parking area is no more than a 5-to-10-minute walk (500 metres) from the main gate. There is a drop-off zone at the gate for folks with mobility challenges. Please check in with our parking attendant if you need assistance, or call ahead at 204-428-6800. We'll also have a "people mover" ready to transport people and things from the parking area to the festival site. 

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PEACE, LOVE, RESPECT, COMPASSION, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, JOY, SUSTAINABILITY

 

Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival is a positive space for all, and a community built on the eight pillars listed above.  

 

 

SAFER SPACES POLICY

 

Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival and all its events welcome everyone to share our free spirit of creativity, diversity and inclusion; to join together to help ensure a safe space free of bullying and discrimination. 
 
Anyone feeling uncomfortable or unsafe at any time at Whoop & Hollar events can immediately notify one of our volunteers to resolve the situation as soon as possible. 

 

 

FOLK FEST ETIQUETTE

 

The festival requires that all attendees remain personally and fully responsible for their actions at all times: when socializing, when conducting themselves, and when arranging their transportation to and from the festival site.

 

Be respectful of the performers and your fellow audience members. If you are planning on making some noise and socializing during performances (which is totally fine), please find a place further away from the stage.

 

Rowdy behaviour is tolerated (away from the music, of course), obnoxious behaviour is not! 

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Please note that each festival venue is located in a neighbourhood, so being respectful and courteous to our neighbours and surrounding yard sites is also very important. In the festival campground or along the site boundaries, please do not cross over the fences or property lines - watch for the 'No Trespassing' signs! Thank you for understanding.

 

Be kind and considerate to others, and if you have a pull to do so, welcome new folkies to our festival community and lend a hand if you see somebody in need. Be yourself and get what YOU want out of your festival experience, just be a good sport and keep the positive energy flowing.

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING (FOLK FEST ESSENTIALS)?​

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• A positive energy and attitude!

• E-ticket on a mobile device or printed ticket (if festival pass is pre-purchased)

• Lawnchair or groundsheet

• Cash (remember, most festival sales are cash only)

• Refillable water bottle (drinking water stations on-site; no bottled water sales at the festival) 

• Sunscreen/hat

• Bug spray (or light, loose, long clothing to protect against mosquitoes)

• Flashlight

• Tent and camping materials (if you are camping)

• Cooler (optional: picnic food and refreshments/beverages of your choice are welcome)

• Food vendors will be at the festival both days, so you can also buy food!

• Dress for the weather (i.e. rain gear, sweater)

• Musical instrument (for jamming/open mic)

• Earplugs (for camping; optional)

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ARE SALES CASH ONLY?

 

Please note that MOST transactions at the festival are CASH ONLY: food vendors, handmade village artisans, and music/CD purchases. Box office (ticket sales) and festival merchandise sales will have point of sale options available for debit and credit cards. The nearest ATM is at Royal Bank in Portage la Prairie, about a 10-minute drive away.

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IS THERE CAMPING AT THE FESTIVAL?

 

Yes, tent camping is included on the festival site with the purchase of a festival pass! 

 

Fully-serviced RV & Tent Camping is available at the Portage Ex Campground (designated festival RV campground) on Island Park in Portage la Prairie, or Morrison Sports Park & Campground in Oakville, each 10 minutes away. Tent campers must purchase a festival pass.

 

Click here to learn more about festival camping this year.

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RESPECT THE LAND: LEAVE NO TRACE, NO IDLE ZONE

 

Whoop & Hollar values sustainability and respect for the environment. "Leave No Trace" means that we expect you to leave the festival grounds in the condition they were before you arrived. Pack in, pack out!

 

Please put garbage, recycling, and compost in its place at the corresponding stations located around the grounds. All food packaging sold at the festival is 100% compostable (along with any food scraps left over). Don't litter; please respect others and the environment.

 

Take home all your belongings upon leaving the festival (a lost and found will be assembled during the festival if articles are accidentally forgotten).

 

Also, please refrain from having your vehicle idle on or around the festival grounds. It is summer time. The air we breathe is sacred and pure, and must remain that way in order to maintain the health of humans and the planet.

 

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CAN I BRING MY PET?

 

No alligators or elephants, hippos on leashes only, singer PETula Clark invited but not attending, and whooping cranes must come feathered! Well, really, only very well-behaved dogs are permitted on site. :)

 

Out of respect for the property and other folkies, please clean up after your dog, keep them away from garden areas, and at ALL TIMES, have your dog on-leash! Like people, if your pet is obnoxious or aggressive, please leave them at home. Dogs are admitted free of charge.

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WHAT IS A FOLK FESTIVAL, ANYWAY?

 

At Whoop & Hollar, our definition of a folk festival is an inclusive celebration of the music, art, food, dance, fashion, and stories of people, their cultures, and their world perspectives and philosophies—across time and space. "Folk" is a broad term that includes far more than just music, let alone folk music in particular.

 

Folk festivals are community-oriented and community-driven events with great intention and purpose. They are connected to the land and aim to promote peace, tolerance, and respect for all people and the planet. They incorporate interactive activities and programming meant to educate, inspire, challenge, engage, and broaden one's horizons.

 

At a folk festival, you can expect to hear all kinds of music, meet all kinds of new people, and learn all kinds of new things. Plus, these festivals provide fun, meaningful, and enriching experiences that are not to be missed—think of a music festival with even more perks! Come as you are without expectations.

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INFORMATION / FIRST-AID / LOST & FOUND

 

If you have any questions or concerns, require first-aid, or have misplaced an item or loved one, head on down to the brown Audience Services tent behind the mainstage for assistance. COMM.Unity 204 & Portage Bear Clan will be on site during the festival to provide first aid and safer spaces support.

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FREE, HOP-ON, RETURN SHUTTLE SERVICE!

 

Are you coming from Portage la Prairie, or camping at the Island, and need to get to the festival?

 

At designated times on Saturday, a free shuttle departs downtown Portage la Prairie (Herman Prior Activity Centre, 40 Royal Rd. N.) for the main festival site via the RV Campground (Portage Ex Campground on Island Park), and returns via the same route.

 

 

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE WHOOPING & HOLLERING? SOME FESTIVAL TRIVIA

• Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival's name is a play on the name of its locale, the famous "Hoop & Holler Bend," which has a 100-year history of live music and country dances. The moniker depicts fun, joy, and good times.

• The festival's logo/mascot is a free-spirited 'whooping' crane, tying together the themes of music, art, and nature.

• Festival-goers are affectionately called 'whoopers'.

• If you are having a good time 'whooping' it up, be sure to chant "Whoop at the Hoop!" or give a "Whoop, Whoop!"

• Fun Fact: In 2013, Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival began as an outdoor concert to showcase an armada of Winnipeg musicians touring down the Assiniboine River by canoe. How much more 'Portage' la Prairie can you get? 

• Another Fun Fact: The festival site is located on the historic line of the Manitoba Great Northern Railway that connected Portage la Prairie with the USA, from 1903 until the mid-1920s.

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WEATHER

 

Rain or shine, the show will go on! Come prepared. There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather immediately before or during the festival, some of the concerts may be postponed, relocated under the big tent, or canceled.

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