The final day of the festival offers family fun during the day and music into the night
While the turnout proved a little less than the quality of entertainers and activities deserved, the 2024 edition of the Dooryard Arts Festival delivered plenty of memories for all who attended the full day of events.
After two nights of music and comedy at several locations throughout Woodstock, Dooryard offered a full day of celebration of the arts, much of it free.
The day began with free family fun on King Street and in the adjacent MainStage tent. While children and youth played games, showcased their artistic talents and watched several street performers, they and the adults took in performances from several acclaimed musicians.
With the support of the Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC), Planet Youth and others, children played games, drew chalk art on the closed street, painted rocks, tried their hand at more traditional painting and watched street performances by Halifax Circus and Street Magic.
The entire family enjoyed performances by children’s entertainer Mr. Mark, rockers the Dooryard Drifters, and blues sensation Garrett Mason.
While King Street and the MainStage bustled with non-stop action on the sunny summer Saturday, travellers through downtown Woodstock could enjoy music in the Town Square at the corner of King and Main Streets.
Meanwhile, acclaimed musicians Nicole Rampersaud, trumpet player and composer, and Joel Leblanc, multi-instrumentalist, performed at the nearby Connell House.
Across the Meduxnekeag River, the Cross Creek Brewery hosted Drag Trivia with Amber Love and Julia Jeffries.
Dooryard’s final MainStage showcase closed its three-day event Saturday evening with four highly acclaimed Maritime acts, starting with singer-songwriter Kelly McMichael. The St. John’s-based singer’s first album, Waves, was shortlisted for the prestigious 2022 Polaris Music Prize.
Jason Haywood and the Goldfish followed McMichael. Haywood returned to his solo career after his multi-award-winning band, the Divorcees, disbanded. His list of awards includes Music N.B.’s Traditional/Roots Artist of the Year.
Jessica Rhaye and the Ramshackle Parade were the third award-winning performers to take the stage on Saturday night. The New Brunswick-based singer-songwriter captivated the crowd with her own songs and covers of her favourite artists, such as Bob Dylan.
Earthbound, a New Brunswick-based rock quartet, delivered a big sound to close out the 2024 Dooryard MainStage performances. They used a combination of brilliant musicianship, great vocals and modern sound techniques to fill the night air on Woodstock’s waterfront.
The Dooryard Arts Festival came to a rocking end with an after-party at the Woodstock Legion featuring local bands Monteith and Stinking Rich.
