It may be the middle of winter, but Summerfolk's already preparing for another warm weekend of music.
On Monday night the Georgian Bay Folk Society held a town hall meeting at the Owen Sound Public Library to brainstorm ideas for this year's festival and beyond.
Some of the areas being looked at included patrons, volunteers and sponsorships.
During a group discussion, many people suggested ideas like a Best Craft Beer Award, further advertisements in nearby cities and looking at more year-round events.
Artistic Director James Keelaghan says that gaining feedback from volunteers and festival attendees is a vital part of improving and growing the festival.
“It's their festival and we like to get their ideas about ways we can change things and move forward,” Keelaghan says. “We felt like we were missing some of those things.”
Other factors impacting the festival in recent years include the rising water levels at Kelso Beach Park.
Although the Folk Society always has a contingency plan for the venue, Keelaghan hopes to have some municipal help as well.
“We will continue to press the city for continued improvements to the park, maybe some flood mitigation, things they can do that we can't,” Keelaghan says.
Further comments can be made at the Summerfolk website for those who did not attend Monday night's meeting.
Keelaghan says that he anticipates another opportunity for comments in the future.