One of Canada’s Largest FREE Music Festivals returns to Hamilton

The 2012 edition of the Festival of Friends brings with it a power-packed lineup of Canadian and International artists, a midway, great food & drink and the all-new Festival of Friends Museum; highlighting the great moments and memories of the previous 37 years of the festival.

Following 35 years at Gage Park, the festival is now in it’s second year at the Ancaster Fairgrounds and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the City from all across Canada and the US thanks to it’s diverse music line up and FREE ADMISSION.

Lights

Headliners

Friday night sees Chantal Kreviazuk and a performance from the reunited Bangles. Saturday sees The Reason, Tom Wilson & Harlan Pepper, The Spin Doctors, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell. Sunday features Canadian sensation Lights and the B-52′s. Click here for a complete performer schedule.

Side Stages

3 side stages round out the entertainment, the Children’s stage features live entertainment for kids of all ages, the Acoustic stage features some sharp up-and-coming talent from across the Hamilton area, and the Spec(tacle) stage features sit-down interviews with FOF artists and Hamilton Spectator writers Graham Rockingham and Mark McNeil.

NEW! Festival of Friends Museum

The Bangles

In order to properly recognize the significance of the almost 40 years of the Festival of Friends, this year marks the debut of the Festival of Friends Museum. Located within a cool band trailer, the Museum features signed guitars, items from previous headliners, photo-filled walls and video footage playing on screens all day long.

Directions to Ancaster Fairgrounds

There are multiple access points by vehicle to the Fairgrounds. Depending on where you are commuting from, click here to find out specific directions for your trip. If using GPS, set your coordinates to 43.189413,-80.041074 OR enter 630 Trinity Rd Hamilton, ON L0R 1R0. There is parking on site for $10 for the whole weekend, including in-and-out privileges.

HSR Shuttle

HSR will be running an express shuttle from Downtown Hamilton to the Ancaster Fairgrounds all weekend. Regular HSR rates apply. Click here to access the schedule and map (PDF). Shuttle riders are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to contribute to the Ancaster Community Services’ Emergency Food Supply. Food donation bins will be located at the shuttle drop-off point at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.