‘We’re coming home’ Festival of Friends returns to Gage Park

After six years at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, the Festival of Friends is returning to Hamilton’s Gage Park.

The festival released a video on social media making the announcement.

The Festival of Friends has a huge announcement to make! #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/xYLtfuOuNU

— Festival of Friends (@FestofFriends) October 25, 2016

The festival moved to Ancaster in 2011, ending a 35-year relationship with Gage Park.

Back in 2011, organizer Loren Lieberman told CHCH News that the festival had outgrown the park and parking and the protection of trees had become an issue.

The video cites changes at City Hall as making it possible for the festival’s return.

“In 2011 the Festival of Friends was forced to move to Ancaster for a myriad of reasons – including unresponsive leadership at City Hall as well as issues of access in Gage Park.”

The festival boasts a star-studded list of past performers including Burton Cummings, Gord Downie, Kim Mitchell, Lights, City & Colour and Dr. John.