By Will McGuirk
Never. Never in the decades I have attended Mariposa have I left the shores of Lake Couchiching feeling so sated, in body, soul and mind. Wave after wave, electricity across my back, a flush of well being, perma-smile hovering on the corners of my mouth as I drive south home to the mighty Shwarock City. Life never felt so good as it did at the 2026 edition of this Grand Dame of Folk Festivals. Through the heavy periods of humidity, brief downpours, cosmic sunsets, the very definition of cool breezes, and that heat which penetrated through to the bone, the music played on, into the night and across the mornings.
Music played as shield, as community, as a tool, music as home: Billy Bragg urging us all to be active while Steve Earle reminded all there to remember to be Canadian, the world needs you. Headlines, healings and highlights belonged to Father John Misty, the Barr Brothers, Sharon Von Etten and the Attachment Theory, Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Reuben and the Bullhorn Singers, Neil Young and Tragically Hip tributes and the always wonderful Sarah Harmer. Shred Kelly were the buzz and our own Chuck Coles filled every stage it seemed.
Chuck Coles
Peak Mariposa? Midafternoon World Cup Canada vs Morocco on the two giant screens either side of the Gordon Lightfoot stage while in front on the grass future superstars, a group of kids played their own world cup, the ball booted on stage and returned by tech hands, no problems. The angelic vocals of Tony Dekker wrapped the whole scene as Great Lake Swimmers played on the further Barnfield stage. Canada may have lost that game but those kids won the day.
On the run home just north of the 407 on Harmony a wild turkey slowed cars entering Oshawa as it pecked away at tires, grills, and doors, its icy eyes glaring. A fitting welcome back to the reality of the city but with Mariposa at my back, I have more tools to chillax through it all. I’m riding this vibe as long as I can.
Photos by Mikki Simeunovich
