MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY — The 2022 Water Valley Celtic Festival saw many great performances enjoyed by fans glad to be back following COVID-19 pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021, says artistic director and musician Brian Volke.
The 22nd annual festival on June 18 saw dozens of musical performers ranging from solo acts to large choirs and bands, all there to entertain hundreds of guests. Dancers and storytellers were also back again this year.
Performances took place in numerous venues, including in the new Water Valley Community Hall, and the historic Church Events Centre and Water Valley schoolhouse.
Volke, who is a member of My Son Ted, said, “It was one of the best turnouts I’ve ever seen in all the years that I’ve been going and I’ve been attending the festival almost since it started. I thought it was a wonderful turnout as far as spectators is concerned.”
After two years of cancellations, it was certainly nice to be back, he said.
“It was something we all missed,” he said. “You can tell that everyone was just raring to go, the performers and people coming to hear the music.”
The dozens of volunteers involved in putting on the festival were key to its success again in 2022, he said.
“We can’t do it without these volunteers,” he said.
Planning for the 23rd annual festival will be getting underway soon, he said.