Since the beginning, we have gathered at Birds Hill Park for the common love of people and music. Every summer we build a community that reflects the way we wish the world would be – a place where we can be unapologetically ourselves, full of inclusivity, kindness, and compassion.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival (WFF) may seem like an escape from reality, and while it is a magical place, you can help keep the Festival vibe alive and your experience positive by acting responsibly and looking out for one another.
What Can You Do?
- Take care of yourself. Drink lots of water, eat well, and dress for the weather. *Folk Tip: Energy drinks are dehydrating. Drink lots of water if you drink them*
- Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, rain gear, a flashlight and something to sit on and stay out of the bush to avoid poison ivy.
- The WFF can be an exciting and an overwhelming place – come prepared, relax and have fun.
- Take care of your friends. Use the buddy system. Make sure your group of friends are not left alone when under the influence or at night when everything can look a bit different.
- Practice safer alcohol and substance use. Stay hydrated and moderate your consumption.
- If you use substances: Drug checking services are not available on site, test substances before you come. Start low and go slow, have and know how to use naloxone.
- If you see someone who is having a bad experience or is struggling, lend a hand. Walk with them until they can get to a safe place, flag down a friendly volunteer in a blue vest or take them to First Aid, where we have access to professional mental health supports.
- Respect other attendees’ privacy, property and personal space. NO inappropriate physical contact, groping, unwelcome sexual advances, or taking of explicit video or photos without consent.
- Practice and promote safe and consensual sex. There’s nothing wrong with a romp in the tent so long as everyone’s aware and having a good time. Make your time together safe and consensual. If you forgot safer sex supplies, you can get some for free at Campground Central.
- Know that sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, ageist, or otherwise discriminatory language, behaviour or actions are unacceptable.
- Do not engage in disorderly conduct or behaviour that hurts, marginalizes, humiliates, excludes, isolates or disrupts other attendees.
- Do not lead or promote any violent behaviour which includes sexual, verbal or physical assault against another attendee.
- Refrain from wearing or displaying offensive attire, flags or posters. This includes hate symbols and culturally appropriating attire.
What Does Folk Fest Do?
Safety Volunteers (in blue vests): Our Safety volunteers are here to offer a helping hand, a friendly smile and a non-judgmental attitude to any interaction. Their main job is to steward and preserve our Festival culture, using community-based de-escalation response and meeting anyone in crisis with support and care. They can call in our skilled Security Folk volunteers and other resources, as necessary.
Security Folk Volunteers (in blue vests): This team of dedicated volunteers from our own Festival community provides high-quality support. All members are licensed Security Guards and graduates of the WFF’s internal Festival Security Program. They have 100+ hours of training including areas in safer spaces, anti-oppression, compassionate response to sexualized violence, consent culture, harm reduction, mental health response, first aid and effective communication.
Wellness Supports: Mental health professionals are part of our coordinated response team. They can support people in crisis and assist in accessing additional off-site care outside of the Festival. Safety volunteers (in blue vests) coordinate access to this care.
First Aid: The Festival has First Aid on the Festival Site by Bur Oak stage and in the Festival Campground. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t get to the First Aid tent, flag down a safety volunteer (in a blue vest). They will help get the assistance you need.
Security & First Aid teams carry naloxone kits.
Harm Reduction Information Tent: New in 2025, our friends at Project Safe Audience will be providing information and harm reduction supplies at Campground Central. Check the white board for information on daily programming.
Hours of operation: 1 PM - 3 AM
- Free safer sex supplies
- Supplies for safer substance use
- Non-judgemental answers to questions
- Daily information sessions
Remember: Volunteers are here to help! When in need, seek a volunteer in a blue vest or resources to help you stay safe. Any report of racism, discrimination, harassment, violence, sexual harassment, sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, etc. will be dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible.
General Safety
We all look forward to these four days in July, so of course it’s important to stay safe and look out for each other. We want your Folk Fest experience to be as wonderful as you’ve been imagining all year!
Fire Extinguishers Proudly Donated by
Safer Spaces Policy
We believe EVERYONE has the right to experience the Winnipeg Folk Festival (WFF) as a safe place where they are welcome and respected.
As an organization, we encourage creativity, freedom of expression and attire, and respectful discussion, but not at the harm of others - regardless of attendees’ intentions.
We believe that every individual, no matter their gender, ability, age, ethnicity and sexuality should feel safe and comfortable in our environment and free from any negativity or harm due to others’ display of symbols, actions or words. Any form of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and/or assault, disorderly conduct or any behaviour verbal or physical that demeans or marginalizes another will not be tolerated.
It is also important to remember that the WFF and its campgrounds are subject to provincial and federal laws. Please respect the valuable work that law enforcement officers and our own Safety and Security Folk volunteers in blue vests do to keep everyone in our Folk Fest community safe.
When you join us at the WFF, our Festival Campground and/or Quiet Campground, you agree to the safer spaces policy. Let’s support each other and ensure our community continues to be one of inclusiveness and respect!
Reporting an Issue
We believe and support people who have experienced harassment, violence, or discrimination. If someone is behaving in a disrespectful manner and is negatively affecting yours or another’s Festival experience, bring your concerns to a Safety or Security volunteer in a blue vest as soon as possible so we can address them in a timely manner.
Individuals who have experienced or witnessed an incident at the WFF should do one or all of the following:
- Find a Safety or Security Volunteer (in a blue vest) - For help in the moment, inform a Safety volunteer of the incident as soon as possible; they can provide support and connect you directly with wellness supports or additional resources as needed.
- Get First Aid - If needed, visit Site or Campground First Aid.
- Report the incident – If you choose to not seek help in the moment, you can still report what has happened. Utilize the REES reporting tool below. You can choose to remain anonymous, and control what information you share. Reports help the Festival keep everyone safer. Please note that this is not a way to request immediate assistance.
As always, in an emergency or in immediate danger, call 911.
REES offers an online reporting system for unwanted sexualized behaviour, harassment, violence or discrimination. REES allows community members to create a confidential record of the incident. The person reporting controls how, when, and if, the record is reported. This tool is available year-round and incidents can be reported anytime. People can also report incidents that occur at Folk Fest events and year-round concert series.
The WFF takes the reporting of incidents of violence, harassment and abuse seriously.
Support & Resources
Should you experience an incident and need support during or after the Festival there are several resources available to you:
Urgent or Emergency Call 9-1-1
RCMP: 204-984-0715
REES offers an online reporting system for unwanted sexualized behaviors. REES allows festival participants to create a confidential record of the incident. The person reporting controls how, when, and if, the record is reported. Critical data and insights can be shared about where the incidents occur so that partners can develop ongoing prevention strategies. REES also provides information to survivors about community-based resources such as sexual assault centers, healthcare and other support services.
Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre
Call: 204-340-0928
Website: survivors-hope.ca
24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1-888-292-7565
Survivor's Hope Crisis Centre's Sexual Assault Recovery and Healing (SARAH) Workers will provide support in the Festival Campground and Festival site to individuals of any gender who have experienced sexual violence. They will be available in the Festival Campground 24/7 during the event.
SARAH Workers can provide immediate support, resources, and information, as well as accompaniment and advocacy if someone wishes to connect with medical or legal support following a sexual assault.
Project Safe Audience
Project Safe Audience provides peer-based harm reduction services and training to members of our community who want to engage in safer sexual health and substance use practices and behaviours.
DRUG CHECKING SERVICES AT STREET CONNECTIONS, 496 HARGRAVE ST.
For more information - Check out their website: https://streetconnections.ca/drug-checking
Drug Checking Now Available at the Pit Stop
705 Broadway, Winnipeg
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (services are legal and confidential; no names are taken).
Please note: Nine Circles is closed on the first Tuesday of each month until noon which may impact drug checking hours. Hours may also vary depending on staffing availability.
Call: 1-855-242-3310
Online Chat: hopeforwellness.ca
Offering immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Call: 1-800-668-6868
Text: 686868
Website: kidshelpphone.ca
If you’d prefer to chat with other young people about how you’re feeling, you can check out the Peer-to-Peer Community at Kids Help Phone.
Call: 204-786-8686
Toll-free: 1-888-322-3019 | klinic.mb.ca
Klinic Community Health provides a full range of health-related services from medical care to counselling and education.
Call (Winnipeg): 204-786-8631
Toll free (Manitoba): 1-888-292-7565
TTY: 204-784-4097
Website: klinic.mb.ca
Klinic – Sexual Assault Crisis Program
Call: 204-784-4059 For anyone, ages 16 and up, who have experienced sexual assault.
Professional counselling is available for up to 12 weeks. To begin, contact the intake worker. If you need to leave a voicemail, be assured this is confidential and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Call: 204-786-8686
Adults residing in Winnipeg, who are experiencing a mental health or psychosocial crisis.
Call: 1-877-435-7170
Website: reasontolive.ca
Call if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, or concerned about a friend, family or co-worker.
A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call or text 988.
Call: 204-415-6797
Toll-Free: 1-855-672-6727
The MRC provides free therapy and support services for men aged 16 and up who have experienced trauma and stressors in their lives and want to resolve related issues.
Nine Circles: Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) Mental Health Worker List
ninecircles.ca
The BIPOC Mental Health Worker List is an open-source and free resource for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour identifying individuals seeking low-barrier BIPOC therapists, counsellors, and mental health workers in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
They can identify, stabilize and improve the psychosocial needs of persons exposed to events such as:
- Traumatic experiences
- Blatant or lateral violence/bullying
- Events which trigger long-term trauma
To reduce initial distress caused by traumatic events, our team will:
- Work collaboratively with you to assess and determine the required response(s)
- Equip groups and communities to take an active role in their recovery
- Provide information and referrals that can assist with coping, counseling, ongoing support, etc.
To connect please call Caprice Kehler at 431-276-1167 or via e-mail at ckehlre2@norwestcoop.ca to request assistance.
Website: serc.mb.ca
Sexuality Education Resource Centre is a community-based, non-profit, pro-choice organization. We are dedicated to promoting sexual health through education. The Winnipeg location is 167 Sherbrook St. They offer confidential and free harm-reduction supplies.
Call: 877-330-6366
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline offering direct emotional support to trans people in crisis.
Website: trauma-recovery.ca
This comprehensive website offers information about the impact of trauma, strategies for self-care in the midst of working through a traumatic experience and helpful videos to increase awareness and assist in decision-making.
See a doctor online now, from the comfort of your own home. QDoc is a free, provincially funded, online platform that connects patients to local doctors by video.
Available for patients physically located in Manitoba, Nunavut, and NW Ontario.
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