New Offerings for Families & Kids at #NLFB2016

Sudbury, June 30th, 2016: Sudbury’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal is in roughly one week, and organizers are beyond excited to start the celebrations. The festival headliners include: multi Juno winner Bahamas, fiddle royalty Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, as well as former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page. July 8-10, the event will include: 6+ stages, 50+ artists, and 100+ performances, featuring music & arts for all tastes and ages. “It is our 45th anniversary this year,” says Executive Director Max Merrifield, “and we want to send the message out families and young folks: kids 14 and under get in free this year!”

To engage young audiences and to cater to families, NLFB has introduced this new policy. These young festival lovers must be accompanied by a ticket bearing adult in order to qualify. “We want this festival to go on for another 45 years and beyond,” says Merrifield, “and in order to do that we need to introduce a little festival magic to all the young music & arts lovers in Northern Ontario. We also understand that bringing out the whole family isn’t always easy, and this is one way to address that.”

NLFB’s Family Area has almost become a kids festival, within the larger festival. Appearing on the family stage will be kids entertainers like Cindy Cook of Polka Dot Door, or even magicians, puppeteers, musicians, and storytellers. The area will also include free activities such as: arts & crafts, musical activities, face painting, inflatable amusements, interactive science activities and more. For those who aren’t really concerned about headline shows, there is a $15 day-only pass available at the gate.

Of course the great entertainment for young audiences is not confined to the Family Area. NLFB has long been a place where the kids can run free, and be exposed to great music in a safe, fun, and vibrant atmosphere. Undoubtedly a lot of youngsters will be dancing to the musical circus of Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra, or will be amazed at guitar work and musicianship of revered artists like Bahamas. The 45th festival will be held July 8-10 at Sudbury’s Bell Park. Over the years NLFB has grown into a seasoned presenter of Canadian roots and modern music, and a lightning rod for the energy of Northern Ontario’s artistic community. All festival information including ticket purchasing can be found online at www.nlfb.ca.