hile many thousands of outsiders descended on Old Ottawa South and the Glebe to attend the Ex during the last weekend in August, several hundred local residents again flocked to Britannia Beach for the CKCU-Ottawa Folk Festival.
There are a surprising number of Old Ottawa South people associated with this popular showcase for some of Canada's finest musicians as they celebrate this country's folk traditions. Gene Swimmer, festival director, is a Belmont Avenueresident and Carleton professor. Many of the full-time staff and volunteer coordinators are also local, some living in the Glebe and some here.
This year's event was dedicated to the memory of Beth Ferguson, a long-time Old Ottawa South resident who had gained international recognition as a singer/song-writer prior to her illness.
Several dozen local businesses along Bank Street were festival sponsors, the main one being the Ottawa Folklore Centre.