The Organization
The Festival of Friends is an outdoor music, art, and crafts festival in Hamilton, ON. It has been produced annually since 1976. Admission to the Festival has always been – and will always remain – free to everyone.
Mission Statement
To enrich the quality of life by promoting and celebrating all aspects of cultural life; to support artists and cultural groups through programs accessible to all people within Greater Hamilton and beyond.
Objectives
To conceive, organize, promote and execute a free major annual musical festival event in the Hamilton-Wentworth Region. The event themes highlight the richness of a particular component of the Canadian mosaic. The event is produced efficiently by professional staff and well-trained, experienced volunteers. The event creates a vehicle for tourism and education. They nurture enjoyment of the arts and are programmed for family enjoyment and education. The objectives are achieved primarily through the production of a major musical and cultural event held annually.
Volunteers
Volunteers play a key roll in all facets of the Festival of Friends, from board members to event workers. The Festival of Friends has an active volunteer program with comprehensive policies, guidelines and procedures. Volunteers directly under our supervision contribute over 10,000 person hours annually. In addition, hundreds of volunteers are involved with other organizations and services clubs involved in our event.
Advisory Board
The Festival of Friends is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board acts as trustees of the organization on behalf of the membership, donors, and other funding sources.
The current Advisory Board for the Festival of Friends:
Mr. Roman Novak
Vice President:
Mr. James McMillan
Ms. Kara McCurlie
Ms. Isabelle Lanza
Mr. Robert Rakoczy
Ms. Melissa Blais
Ms. Tanya Krochak
Ms. Kristin Prince
