Since its start in 2017, the Go North Music Festival has grown from a summer concert into a cultural anchor for St. Joseph Island and the wider Algoma region.
Born out of the Township of St. Joseph’s “Just Passing Through” concert series, Go North has steadily grown into one of Algoma’s go-to summer music destinations, weaving music, art and community together.
Over the years, the festival has welcomed Canadian icons like The Trews and Big Sugar, alongside emerging acts from across the country.
Beyond the main stage, families can gather at the kids’ area, food lovers can enjoy snacks and drinks from great local food vendors and artisans can showcase their handcrafted goods that reflect the region’s creativity.
The Go North Music Festival is entirely volunteer-driven, rooted in accessibility and dedicated to creating shared experiences that unite people of all ages. Even after a two-year break during the pandemic, the festival came back stronger than ever.
The Go North Music Festival has now taken centre stage, winning the Arts award at this year’s SooToday Community Builders Awards, presented by Home Hardware.
“This is wonderful. We’re very honoured to be considered one of Sault Ste. Marie’s community builders,” said Sheri Gladu, community projects coordinator for the Township of St. Joseph and staff representative for the Go North Music Festival.
“Seeing the crowd build year after year and seeing families come out and enjoy themselves is always such a proud moment for us,” she shared.
“We understand that for a community to feel cohesive, we need to come together. There are lots of different ways to do that, but music is one of the most wonderful ways for people to join together and celebrate what it is to be part of Northern Ontario,” Gladu added.
The Go North Music Festival has grown into a celebration of homegrown and national talent, a boost for tourism and a gathering that unites the community. What started as an event is now a tradition, a source of pride and a recognized leader in the arts.
“We are very appreciative of this award and we look forward to presenting even bigger and better Go North Music Festivals in the years to come,” Gladu said.
The Arts award recognizes an individual or group that has significantly strengthened the artistic community. Their work has amplified the arts and contributed to the community’s growth and vitality.
Congratulations to the team at the Go North Music Festival!
The Arts award is proudly sponsored by Algoma Office Equipment.