The final day of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival was a glowing celebration of music, memory, and community spirit, capping off four extraordinary days at Birds Hill Provincial Park with joy, reverence, and plenty of soul. Marking the festival’s monumental 50th anniversary, Day 4 offered a perfect balance of genre-spanning workshops, high-energy performances, and heartfelt tributes—culminating in a moving sing-along finale that left not a dry eye or quiet voice in the house.

From the Sunday morning gospel workshop to the evening’s stunning mainstage lineup Day 4 delivered one final reminder of why the Winnipeg Folk Festival continues to be one of Canada’s most beloved and enduring summer events. Every longtime Folk Fest fan knows that Sunday morning at the festival holds a special kind of magic – and this year, the traditional gospel workshop, this year titled “You’ve Gotta Move,” was nothing short of divine.

Led by the electrifying Lee Brothers, the set opened with soaring harmonies and rhythmic soul that instantly stirred the crowd awake. As the tent filled with sunshine and song, Colin Linden joined in with his masterful slide guitar, adding a rootsy, blues-laden flavour that anchored the spiritual tone of the session. D’orjay & The Lovely Luvies Fam brought fiery vocals and boundless energy, blending gospel tradition with country-soul sass and an inclusive spirit that had everyone clapping along. The audience was swept up in every note, some moved to tears, others dancing barefoot in the grass. Petunia & The Vipers, known more for their quirky vintage swing and rockabilly flare, surprised and delighted with their gospel stylings, showing yet another side of their musical versatility. The blend of sounds, styles, and generations made this a truly transcendent experience – one of those once-a-year Folk Fest moments that becomes legend.

Later in the day, the “Musical Microdosing” workshop offered a wildly different but equally mesmerizing experience. Featuring the global grooves of Dengue Fever, Los Bitchos, and Zrada, this set was a kaleidoscope of sound, rhythm, and cultural fusion. Dengue Fever’s Cambodian surf-rock funk entranced the crowd, their hypnotic melodies wrapping around psychedelic guitar riffs and Farfisa organ swirls. Los Bitchos brought infectious, instrumental party vibes – combining disco, cumbia, and garage rock into an irresistible dance party under the prairie sun. Zrada, a Winnipeg-based Ukrainian fusion band, rounded out the session with wild horn arrangements and punk-folk flair that had the audience stomping, shouting, and grinning from ear to ear. The collaboration between these globally inspired acts turned the afternoon into a dizzying celebration of borderless creativity, further proving the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s commitment to showcasing eclectic, adventurous music.

As dusk settled over Birds Hill Park, the final evening on the mainstage kicked off with a heartfelt and commanding performance by Winnipeg’s own Begonia. Draped in a flowing yellow ensemble and backed by a powerhouse band, Begonia (a.k.a. Alexa Dirks) owned the stage with her unmistakable voice and signature emotional honesty.

Songs ranged from tender ballads to bombastic soul-pop anthems, each delivered with passion, humour, and dazzling vocal runs that left the crowd in awe. Her connection with the hometown audience was undeniable – between songs, she expressed gratitude for the festival’s impact on her career and the city’s unwavering support. As a homegrown talent now making waves internationally, her performance felt like a joyful homecoming and a celebration of Winnipeg’s deep musical roots.

Then came the indomitable Mavis Staples, whose presence on the Folk Fest stage felt both historic and deeply personal. The legendary R&B and gospel singer, now in her eighth decade, brought the house down with her unmistakable voice and enduring message of love, justice, and resilience. From the first note, Staples captivated the audience with her warmth and power, her band laying down tight, funky grooves that underscored her soul-stirring vocals. She drew from her extensive catalog, weaving in Civil Rights-era anthems with modern calls for unity and peace. Her laughter, spirit, and undeniable charisma radiated across the entire festival field.

Between songs, Mavis shared stories of her time with The Staple Singers, marching with Dr. King, and her love for Canadian audiences. “Y’all know how to listen with your hearts,” she said, to thunderous applause. Her set was more than a concert – it was a sermon, a celebration, and a passing of the torch to a new generation of socially conscious artists. Closing out the evening was Australian indie-pop-meets-Americana outfit Lake Street Dive, who delivered a set full of exuberance, killer musicianship, and soulful hooks. Frontwoman Rachael Price led the charge with rich, expressive vocals that brought down the house, her charisma matched by a tight band that moved seamlessly between jazz, funk, R&B, and pop influences.

Their infectious energy had the entire festival dancing into the night, with moments of call-and-response, crowd singalongs, and even a brass breakdown that shook the prairie ground. Lake Street Dive’s joyful sound felt like the perfect way to wrap up an incredible 50th anniversary celebration—playful, powerful, and forward-looking. As per tradition, the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival ended with its cherished finale sing-along, a deeply emotional, communal experience that brings performers and audience together one last time. Nathan Rogers, son of the late, great Stan Rogers, led the crowd in a rousing rendition of “The Mary Ellen Carter,” a song that has become something of an anthem for perseverance at Folk Fest. As thousands sang in unison, many with tears in their eyes, the moment captured the true spirit of the festival—resilience, community, and love for the power of song.

Next came The Duhks, returning for a stirring performance of “Wild Mountain Thyme,” their rich harmonies filling the prairie night like a warm embrace. Finally, Rachael Price returned to the stage to lead a breathtaking version of “Amazing Grace,” her voice rising into the star-filled sky as the crowd joined in gently, reverently. It was an ending that felt sacred—a final, beautiful bow to a weekend of celebration and to 50 years of the Winnipeg Folk Festival changing lives through music.

The 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary was more than a milestone—it was a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of folk music and the community that has rallied around it for five decades. Day 4 captured that spirit perfectly, with genre-defying workshops, legendary performers, and a closing celebration that honored the past while looking joyfully toward the future.

As the final notes rang out and festivalgoers began to pack up tents and memories, one thing was clear: this was a Folk Fest for the ages—one that will be talked about with love and pride for years to come.