Ticket Sales Climb Above 75% for ‘Saskatchewan’s 21st Century Polkafest’
The Biggar Old Time Music Festival Committee is pleased to announce that they have reached 75 per cent of ticket sales for their inaugural ‘1st Annual Biggar Old Time Music Festival’ that aims to revitalize old-time music (polkas, waltzes, foxtrots) and dance in Saskatchewan.
“We’re honoured and touched that we’d been the recipients of support from the community and from across Saskatchewan,” Miguel Fenrich, chair of the inaugural committee said.
“This is what Saskatchewan is about; coming together for fellowship, community, and celebration,” he added.
The three-day family-friendly festival runs from June 6 to 8, 2025 at the Biggar Community Hall and includes performances from the following authentic old-time musicians from across Saskatchewan: Leon Ochs (Landis), Sylvia ‘n’ Dean (Prince Albert), Dennis Ficor (Regina), Tom Reinhard (Humboldt), and Norm & the Golden Aces (Northwest Saskatchewan), with a combined 150+ years of grassroot experience playing in Legion halls, church basements, and community halls.
Sunday will also feature a headliner concert with the award-winning JJ Lavallee Band. The full schedule can be found at www.oldtimemusicfestival.ca.
“The musical talent present in Saskatchewan is unmatched. And some of that talent will be here, on display, the first weekend of June,” Fenrich added.
For ticket holders, the festival will include dancing, dance lessons, free coffee, a midnight lunch, and an on-site cash bar run by the Biggar Lodge No. 100, in addition to the live performances. There will also be a shuttle on Friday and Saturday night to take people home within town.
Open to the public on both Friday and Saturday will be a 50s-diner themed canteen run by Biggar Bites. The public will also be able to purchase 50/50 tickets, participate in the silent auction, and attend the pancake breakfast fundraisers taking place Saturday and Sunday morning. On Saturday only, the Biggar Museum and Gallery will have a themed historical display, and the festival will be running a Vintage Market across the street in the Jubilee Stadium. Both have free admission and the Vintage Market also has a free children’s area with a bouncy castle, balloon artist, face painting, and a coloring contest.
Ticket prices are $20 for Friday, $35 for Saturday, and $25 for Sunday, or a full weekend pass for $80. And in an effort to support families in attending, youth 15-and-under are free with a guardian.
Tickets are available to purchase through www.oldtimemusicfestival.ca.
The committee is also pleased to recognize the support of the organizations who have made the event possible: funders SaskLotteries, SKArts, and Dance Saskatchewan; sponsors the Town of Biggar, Duperow Co-op, Biggar Insurance Agencies; and supporters CJWW Radio, CFCR 90.5 FM Saskatoon Community Radio, Biggar Bites, the Biggar Independent, Lodge No. 100, the Biggar Museum and Gallery, and the Biggar Saturday Night Dance Club.
“This festival would not have been possible without the many organizations, businesses, governments, attendees, and local volunteers, who were keen to support this community led project,” Fenrich added.
“We hope everyone comes and joins us in celebrating culture, community, and the revival of old-time music.”
The Biggar Saturday Night Dance Club (BSNDC) and their sub-committee, the Biggar Old Time Music Festival Committee (BOTMFC) are unincorporated grassroots non-profit organizations, run by volunteers and supported by donations, sponsors, grants, and self-made revenue. Their mission is to ensure there is an environment in Saskatchewan which celebrates the cultural, historical, and artistic history of folk music and dance in Saskatchewan.
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