Since arriving in Edmonton (two weeks short of) a year ago, I have heard repeatedly from Edmontonians about the summer festivals.

Admittedly, my initial response was: what’s the big deal? Cultural festivals have become a common feature of summer life in many large and small communities across the world. Heck, Toronto had a different  festival every weekend too – sometimes two or three of them.

Ahh, but the festivals here in Edmonton are different, I am coming to realize.

Here are some things I learned this week about the Edmonton Folk Music Festival:

1. The festival is not just about music. It is about community and a collective celebration of a cooperative, outdoor social life for a city that spends much of the year in interior spaces.

2. Considerable energy is devoted to strategic positioning of your tarp and the etiquette surrounding who shares it. I now understand and have great respect for the role of tarp runner.

3. Despite official policy, it’s a BYO event. The unwritten rule is: Just use your best judgment and be discrete. (Thanks to all our friends who kept us fed and lubricated.)

4. Ben Harper was right: That hillside is a magnificent and inspiring site when it’s 10:00 pm and illuminated with hundreds of candles.

5. The Zippo iPhone app just doesn’t cut it when there are hundreds of natural candles burning around you.

6. The beer tent can be closed and you can still have an enjoyable time. (Was Van really behind that?)

7. Where the heck do you park? The park and ride shuttle from the Butterdome was alright, but I kinda prefer a long walkable distance back to the car. I have some ideas for next time.

8. Cloverdale must be wonderful place to live – for the other 361 days a year.

9. Those little chairs are great for the back.

It was a marvelous couple of nights (and maybe another day on the weekend).

If I’m lucky, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival will become a place to return each summer to meet friends, be serenaded by talented musicians, and soak up some of the best quality of life anywhere.