Peterborough Folk Festival Names Tristan Konkle the 2026 Emerging Artist

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Following a record number of submissions, the Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has announced Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tristan Konkle as the PFF 2026 Emerging Artist Award recipient.

Photo courtesy of peterborough folk fest.

Raised in Peterborough, the self-produced artist was drawn early to the architects of late-20th-century pop, pairing energetic performances with a deep commitment to the songwriting craft. Since picking up a guitar at the age of twelve, Tristan Konkle has built a catalogue through years of songwriting and live performances at hometown venues such as Jethro’s Bar + Stage, Sadleir House and the Pig’s Ear Tavern. Through these performances, he has developed a reputation for his songwriting and compelling live shows.

Alongside his work as a performer, Konkle has become an active studio collaborator within the Peterborough music community. In 2025, he produced several songs for the indie-folk band VANCAMP, winner of the PFF 2024 Emerging Artist Award. Also in 2025, Konkle co-produced a full-length album for Edmonton songwriter Ellie Heath alongside acclaimed Canadian producer Hawksley Workman, scheduled for release in mid 2026. Now releasing music under his own name for the first time since fronting the band Tapes In Motion, Konkle blends modern indie pop with vintage influences, guided by thoughtful production and the support of his hometown community.

“I'm so excited for Tristan to be a part of an amazing group of emerging artists who over the past 25 years have contributed so much to our community”, says PFF artistic director Ryan Kemp. “I encourage everyone in our community to support artists like Tristan by going to their shows, buying their merch and sharing their music with others. This award has organically evolved into a family of artists who support one another, which is truly the spirit of the festival.”

For the full list of PFF Emerging Artist Award recipients, visit the website.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Receives FEO Provincial Sustainability Award

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The Peterborough Folk Festival has been recognized for their commitment to environmental leadership and sustainable practices, being awarded the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award.

photo courtesy of the peterborough folk festival.

The Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) 2026 Sustainability Award was presented to Peterborough Folk Festival’s (PFF) treasurer, Chad Hogan, at the FEO Awards Gala this week in Kitchener, amongst festival and tourism industry colleagues from across Ontario.

The FEO Sustainability Award recognizes festivals and events that demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The award highlights festivals and events that implement innovative and effective sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, community engagement and environmentally responsible operations.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Peterborough Folk Festival, I want to express how honoured we are to receive the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award recognizing a value that has guided our festival for 37 years”, said Emma MacDonald, Chair of the festival’s Eco Committee. “This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary work behind the scenes by our volunteers and community partners: the teams scrubbing dishes, parking bikes, sorting waste and recycling and supplying on-site solar energy. It takes a village to run a sustainable festival, and this honour belongs to the dedicated community that makes it possible.”

Highlights of PFF’s sustainability efforts include a commitment to waste reduction, complimentary bike valet parking, a Generation Solar stage, park stewardship at Nicholls Oval and a commitment to supporting local businesses and vendors.

“Congratulations to Peterborough Folk Festival on being named the recipient of Festivals and Events Ontario’s Sustainability Award! In addition to capturing the essence of Peterborough’s culture community, the Folk Festival is an exemplary steward of the land, water and community surrounding Nicholls Oval Park," City Councillors, and Community Services co-chairs Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk shared in a joint statement. "This award honours Peterborough Folk Festival’s long-standing commitment to sustainability through waste reduction, active transportation, supporting local businesses, and even having a solar-powered stage. The festival and the entire Peterborough community can feel very proud of this recognition.”

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Photos: 33rd Annual Peterborough Folk Festival Rocks Nicholls Oval Park

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Following ticketed events at Market Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings, free performances were held throughout the weekend in Nicholls Oval park as part of Peterborough Folk Festival.

Nathan Truax and band performs during Peterborough Folk Festival 2022. Photo by Luke Best

First organized in 1989 as part of the now defunct Peterborough Arts Umbrella, the festival became a not-for-profit organization in 2001 and a registered charity in 2018.

The mandate of the festival is to promote folk music and arts within the Peterborough community as well as provide safely accessible venues and diverse audiences for both local and Canadian touring musicians.

The 2022 edition of Folk Fest featured acts such as the Sudbury string band, Murder Murder.

I, The Mountain from Kitchener played through sunset and into the evening.

Afie Jurvanen, known by his stage name, Bahamas headlined the show with a packed performance on Saturday Night. Jurvanen was born in Toronto and raised in Barrie.

On Sunday the 12-piece band from the Niagara area, My Son The Hurricane performed during the day. Lead singer Jacob Bergsma, wore a Zellers smock to commemorate the announcement that the Canadian company would be returning.

In addition to the performances, the festival featured an artisan village, a food village and valet bicycling parking provided by B!KE Community Bike Shop. Reusable dishes were used by food vendors and a team of volunteers washed and returned them to keep the festival as eco-friendly as possible.

The Peterborough Folk Festival is a volunteer-run, non-profit, registered charity organization and relies on the generosity of sponsors and donors to keep the event free.
If you’re interested in making a donation or learning more: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/peterborough-folk-festival/

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Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mays, Fred Penner, Paper Shakers & More Playing 2019 Peterborough Folk Festival

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The Peterborough Folk Festival, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, has announced Kathleen Edwards and Matt Mays will headline the festival on Sunday, August 18th at Nicholls Oval Park on the Peterborough Subaru Stage.

Kathleen Edwards

The festival is excited to announce its 2019 Emerging Artist Award recipients Paper Shakers. The local group first performed at the 2017 festival and will be featured at the 2019 festival. 

The award will allow the group to attend the Folk Music Ontario conference in the Fall where they will be able to continue to make connections in the music industry with festivals across Canada. Past recipients of the Emerging Artist award include Serena Ryder, James Mckenty , Missy Knott and Beau Dixon . 

Paper Shakers

There will be over 50 artisan and vendors at Nicholls Oval Park, and the weekend performances—there are 20+ artists on four stages—include a Sunday afternoon performance by legendary children’s performer Fred Penner, who will also perform earlier in the day before Kathleen Edwards and Matt Mays.

Matt Mays

Juno award winning group A Tribe Called Red. who have performed at major festivals across the globe including Cochella & Osheaga, will be playing Saturday night.

The weekend is free admission but donations are welcomed as they help make the festival operate. For more info on the festival, lineup, vendors and times, click here.

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