'Absolutely exceeded expectations': Organizers report success at Cathedral Village Arts Festival
![Cathedral Village Arts Festival Organizers say the 2024 Cathedral Village Arts Festival attracted an estimated 50,000 people. (Courtesy: Cathedral Village Art Festival)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/26/cathedral-village-arts-festival-1-6901692-1716776425787.jpg)
An annual fixture in the Queen City, organizers for the Cathedral Village Arts Festival are saying the 2024 iteration of the week long event exceeded expectations – and then some.
It’s an event that sees tens of thousands of visitors fill 13th Avenue. This year was no different.
“A spectacular festival this year. Absolutely exceeded expectations,” festival director Don Young told CTV News.
Young said that an estimated 50,000 people attended the weeklong celebration in Regina’s Cathedral Neighbourhood.
“We had people with clickers trying to keep track, but there were so many people that we couldn’t,” he explained. “We know 30,000 is the norm … I as director think 50K is a good solid number.”
Among the highlights was a performance from singer-songwriter Andy Shauf.
The artist, originally from Estevan, acted as the festival’s “headliner” and brought in quite the crowd, according to Young.
“On Saturday night, and we had him in the tent … the tent holds about 600 and there must have been 1500 people spilled out onto the grass,” he said.
“It looked like a mini Woodstock and that was what we were hoping for.”
The event is free and requires the support of volunteers, the community and sponsors to run.
“None of that logic gives you a good business model,” Young laughed.
Despite a reduced budget for this year’s festival, Young said that both the community, in the form of small dollar contributions, and sponsors stepped up in a big way.
“The only way we can survive is with the community and sponsors helping out and this year they did,” he said.
“That sense of the community coming together, really is what made the festival soar this year,” he added.
One other highlight Young was sure to note was the inclusion of Indigenous voices in the event.
The festival’s opening picnic on May 20 was adorned with teepees and featured Indigenous performers and a knowledge keeper.
“We wanted them to have a kind of a guiding voice in the festival,” he said. “We work closely with the First Nations, closely with the city and the Indigenous component in the picnic was fantastic.
“We want to do more next year because it worked really well this year.”
For now, Young and the festival board plan to celebrate the success.
Planning for next year’s festival is due to begin following Labour Day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6929925.1718643202!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Family of woman denied MAID at B.C. hospital files Charter challenge
The family of a young woman who was denied Medical Assistance in Dying at St. Paul's Hospital last year is taking the hospital's operators – including the provincial government – to court.
Blair defends navy's Cuba visit, says critics may be 'confused' about its purpose
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he was acting on advice from the military when he approved a plan to send a Canadian ship to Cuba, but he won't say what advice he got.
These are the most expensive Canadian cities for international employees
As Canada grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and high housing costs, some cities have been ranked among the most expensive in the world for international workers.
Third teen pleads guilty in death of homeless Toronto man
A third girl accused in the death of a homeless Toronto man has pleaded guilty. The teen, who was 13 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty this morning to manslaughter in the death of Kenneth Lee.
'People get very sick': Manitoba sees rise in rare, potentially fatal bacterial infection
A rise in cases of a rare bacterial infection in Manitoba has prompted health officials to issue a warning.
Feels like 40+: Heat warnings to last into the weekend for some provinces
Residents of some provinces are being warned of extreme heat this week, while elsewhere, some saw record-breaking lows this weekend.
WATCH Would-be homebuyers are still staying on the sidelines in Canada. Why?
Typically, the spring and summer months typically see a boom in the Canadian real estate market. However, an economist expects higher interest rates will 'keep a lid on' sales volumes and put 'pressure on housing prices.'
Canada, U.S., Japan and Philippines conduct exercises in South China Sea
The United States, Canada, Japan, and the Philippines conducted a two-day joint maritime exercise in Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said on its website on Monday.
Canadians paying significantly more for airfares as summer ticket prices jump
A new report says travellers are paying significantly more to fly within Canada this summer compared with last year.