An Open Letter to the Riverfest Community

With full hearts and profound gratitude, we share news that is incredibly difficult to put into words: after fifteen unforgettable years, Riverfest Elora will be closing its doors.

This decision was made with immense care, reflection, and respect for the Festival’s legacy—and for you, the community that built it. Riverfest was never just an event; it was a tradition that shaped summers, sparked creativity, and brought people together along the banks of the Grand River through music, art, and shared experience.

What began in 2009 as a small backyard fundraiser organized by Marilyn Koop blossomed into one of Ontario’s most beloved independent music festivals—a testament to what a passionate community can build together. Over the years, Riverfest Elora evolved into an impressive three-day event with multiple stages, showcasing 50+ artists, acclaimed headliners, and a small but dedicated staff team supported by over 600 extraordinary volunteers. The festival became award-worthy, deeply cherished, and an integral part of Elora’s cultural identity.  

But the economic reality has become impossible to ignore. The reality is that Riverfest Elora has turned only modest profits a handful of times in its 15-year history, and none in recent years.  Since 2023, expenses have grown and vastly outpaced revenues, leading to losses of more than $1.2 million over three short seasons. Despite our best efforts, and even after having one of our most operationally-successful seasons in 2025, the gap between what it costs to deliver a world-class festival experience and what is financially viable has grown unbridgeably wide. Our revenues from ticket sales and attendance are simply not able to offset the escalating production and infrastructure costs, and sponsorship—once a reliable pillar of support for independent festivals—has steadily waned amid broader industry and economic pressures.

Continuing to operate an unsustainable model would only deepen that burden beyond what we can responsibly bear. Sadly, this is not an isolated circumstance. Festivals across the country are facing these same pressures, with many struggling to survive in a rapidly shifting economic and cultural landscape.

From the owners: We  believed in this “big-little festival” from day one. For fifteen years, we poured in  creativity, time, financial risk, and personal sacrifice. We navigated unpredictable weather, industry volatility, and the realities of running an outdoor festival in a changing climate and economic landscape. Our  commitment, optimism, and perseverance kept Riverfest alive through moments that would have ended most events long ago. 

To the staff team: You have given your hearts, your expertise, your creativity, and your unrelenting grit to this festival. You’ve worked late nights, braved storms, and poured yourselves into every detail—from booking artists to building site maps to ensuring guests felt the magic that makes Riverfest unlike any other. Your professionalism and compassion in guiding us through this closure process embody what Riverfest has always stood for: care, respect, and community.

To the volunteers: Your passion, generosity, and unwavering pride have always been the very soul of Riverfest. You are remarkable humans who have given your hands, your hearts, and countless hours to this festival—you have been, without question, the lifeblood of Riverfest. Your generosity, spirit, and unwavering pride didn’t just support this festival; you built it, nurtured it, and lifted it higher every single year.

To the artists: Thank you for gracing our stages, trusting us with your talent, and bringing your brilliance to Elora. Your involvement elevated the festival, and helped shape its identity and recognition within Canada’s cultural landscape.

To the local businesses, vendors, sponsors, partners, neighbours, and the wider community: Thank you for standing beside us, believing in us, and cheering us on, year after year, rain or shine. You lifted us up every step of the way.

And to our patrons: Thank you for dancing in the rain, celebrating under the stars, and believing in us year after year.

As we begin winding things down, our small but mighty staff will stay on to support a thoughtful and respectful transition. If you purchased Early Bird tickets for 2026, we’ll be reaching out shortly with refund details. We deeply appreciate your patience and compassion as we navigate this emotional chapter.

The Festival may be ending—but the memories are not. If you feel moved to share your favourite Riverfest stories, photos, or moments, we would love to see them. These memories will carry us through this goodbye and remind us of what we built together. Please feel free to use the hashtag #RiverfestElora.

Fifteen years of music. Fifteen years of community. Fifteen years of heart. Riverfest Elora may be closing, but its legacy lives on—in every connection sparked, every chorus sung, and every moment of joy shared along the river.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this extraordinary journey.

— The Riverfest Elora Team

An Open Letter to the Riverfest Community

With full hearts and profound gratitude, we share news that is incredibly difficult to put into words: after fifteen unforgettable years, Riverfest Elora will be closing its doors.

This decision was made with immense care, reflection, and respect for the Festival’s legacy—and for you, the community that built it. Riverfest was never just an event; it was a tradition that shaped summers, sparked creativity, and brought people together along the banks of the Grand River through music, art, and shared experience.

What began in 2009 as a small backyard fundraiser organized by Marilyn Koop blossomed into one of Ontario’s most beloved independent music festivals—a testament to what a passionate community can build together. Over the years, Riverfest Elora evolved into an impressive three-day event with multiple stages, showcasing 50+ artists, acclaimed headliners, and a small but dedicated staff team supported by over 600 extraordinary volunteers. The festival became award-worthy, deeply cherished, and an integral part of Elora’s cultural identity.  

But the economic reality has become impossible to ignore. The reality is that Riverfest Elora has turned only modest profits a handful of times in its 15-year history, and none in recent years.  Since 2023, expenses have grown and vastly outpaced revenues, leading to losses of more than $1.2 million over three short seasons. Despite our best efforts, and even after having one of our most operationally-successful seasons in 2025, the gap between what it costs to deliver a world-class festival experience and what is financially viable has grown unbridgeably wide. Our revenues from ticket sales and attendance are simply not able to offset the escalating production and infrastructure costs, and sponsorship—once a reliable pillar of support for independent festivals—has steadily waned amid broader industry and economic pressures.

Continuing to operate an unsustainable model would only deepen that burden beyond what we can responsibly bear. Sadly, this is not an isolated circumstance. Festivals across the country are facing these same pressures, with many struggling to survive in a rapidly shifting economic and cultural landscape.

From the owners: We  believed in this “big-little festival” from day one. For fifteen years, we poured in  creativity, time, financial risk, and personal sacrifice. We navigated unpredictable weather, industry volatility, and the realities of running an outdoor festival in a changing climate and economic landscape. Our  commitment, optimism, and perseverance kept Riverfest alive through moments that would have ended most events long ago. 

To the staff team: You have given your hearts, your expertise, your creativity, and your unrelenting grit to this festival. You’ve worked late nights, braved storms, and poured yourselves into every detail—from booking artists to building site maps to ensuring guests felt the magic that makes Riverfest unlike any other. Your professionalism and compassion in guiding us through this closure process embody what Riverfest has always stood for: care, respect, and community.

To the volunteers: Your passion, generosity, and unwavering pride have always been the very soul of Riverfest. You are remarkable humans who have given your hands, your hearts, and countless hours to this festival—you have been, without question, the lifeblood of Riverfest. Your generosity, spirit, and unwavering pride didn’t just support this festival; you built it, nurtured it, and lifted it higher every single year.

To the artists: Thank you for gracing our stages, trusting us with your talent, and bringing your brilliance to Elora. Your involvement elevated the festival, and helped shape its identity and recognition within Canada’s cultural landscape.

To the local businesses, vendors, sponsors, partners, neighbours, and the wider community: Thank you for standing beside us, believing in us, and cheering us on, year after year, rain or shine. You lifted us up every step of the way.

And to our patrons: Thank you for dancing in the rain, celebrating under the stars, and believing in us year after year.

As we begin winding things down, our small but mighty staff will stay on to support a thoughtful and respectful transition. If you purchased Early Bird tickets for 2026, we’ll be reaching out shortly with refund details. We deeply appreciate your patience and compassion as we navigate this emotional chapter.

The Festival may be ending—but the memories are not. If you feel moved to share your favourite Riverfest stories, photos, or moments, we would love to see them. These memories will carry us through this goodbye and remind us of what we built together. Please feel free to use the hashtag #RiverfestElora.

Fifteen years of music. Fifteen years of community. Fifteen years of heart. Riverfest Elora may be closing, but its legacy lives on—in every connection sparked, every chorus sung, and every moment of joy shared along the river.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this extraordinary journey.

— The Riverfest Elora Team