Despite resignation, board confident about folk festival’s future

Despite the recent resignation of Artistic and Executive Director Nick Ferrio, the board of directors of the Peterborough Folk Festival is confident and optimistic about the festival’s future.

The organization held its annual general meeting Monday night at Sadleir House, which was well attended by supporters including founding members, long-term volunteers, and members who have joined the festival within the last couple of years.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Nick for all of his hard work over the last year and a half and we wish him well with his future endeavours,” Board Chair Malcolm Byard said after his opening remarks. “Mr. Ferrio’s announcement was unexpected but it has not prevented or deterred the board or the organizations membership from continuing to plan and organize the 26th annual festival.”

Two days earlier, well-known local musician Ferrio had publicly announced his resignation as the festival’s Artistic and Executive Director, a position he has held since July 2013. Prior to Ferrio’s appointment, Candace Shaw held the position for seven years.

In his resignation letter, Ferrio implies that he and the board had a difference of opinion on the future direction of the festival.

“The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) is an important institution in the music and cultural sectors of our community,” he writes. “Its mandate is not simply to present an annual music festival, but also to ‘foster the artistic and professional development of local culture.'”

Ferrio, who was known during his tenure for pushing the festival’s format in terms of musical genre and for promoting local talent, most recently organized “February Folk Folly”, the first winter event that the summer-time festival has ever held.

In his resignation letter, Ferrio describes his accomplishments in the position before confirming a conflict with the board.

“Despite these successes, it is with deep regret that I must withdraw from my position with the PFF,” he continues. “A number of issues have led to this difficult decision. Without going into great detail, I lack confidence in the board’s ability to fulfill the organization’s mandate. It has been made clear by the board that they do not value my contributions to the festival. As such, I cannot continue to work for the organization in good faith, and therefore tender my resignation effective immediately.”

After acknowledging Ferrio’s resignation at the annual general meeting, the board received the treasurer’s report advising that the festival was debt-free and was beginning the year with a very modest positive balance.

The organization also advised of some changes for this year’s festival, which takes place from Friday, August 21st to Sunday, August 23rd. Unlike the previous two years, where the festival was split between Nichols Oval and Millennium Park, the second day of the festival will also take place at Nichols Oval. Festival volunteers agreed that offering two days in one location would help to broaden the festival’s community audience.

At the meeting, the membership elected David Tough as the new secretary to the board in a unanimous vote. Dr. Tough has been involved with the festival for many years as both performing artist and volunteer, and his participation in the Peterborough music community spans more than 20 years.

In his closing remarks, Byard indicated that the board is confident and optimistic about the festival’s future.

“The festival is looking to expand its audience and presence in the community,” Byard said. He asked the membership to reach out to the Greater Peterborough Area for more involvement with volunteer organizing and sponsorship.

The Peterborough Folk Festival is primarily a volunteer-run organization led by a board of directors. There is no information at this time about if or when the board will appoint a new Artistic and Executive Director.