The City of Wrenford is proud to announce the success of the Benchlands Folk Festival, held at Benchlands Lookout Park over the August long weekend. This free, family-friendly event brought together over 30 local musicians, visual artists, and craftspeople for a weekend of live performances and interactive workshops.
Organized by the City's Arts & Heritage team, the festival features two main stages, a juried art market, and dedicated programming for youth performers. This year, the City expanded the artist residency component, giving emerging creators a platform to showcase their work to thousands of visitors.
"Community festivals like this are a direct result of the investments we make in our cultural budget," says City Manager Robert Eng. "By allocating municipal funds and leveraging community sponsorships, we keep the event free for everyone while supporting the local creative economy."
The festival is funded through the City's annual cultural programming budget, which is supported by property taxes and service charges. According to the current annual budget, cultural and recreational initiatives represent a small but vital portion of the City's operating expenses. These funds are carefully planned to keep neighbourhoods vibrant, accessible, and safe. The City also directs a portion of the budget to the Community Grants, helping local arts groups offset production costs and plan for the future.
You can plan your visit using the event schedule online. Free parking is available at the Downtown Transit Terminal, with regular shuttle service running from the downtown core throughout the day.
For more information on how the City funds community events, view the full Budget breakdown, or explore the Arts & Heritage page.
