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.”
