Get your dancing shoes ready as a special music awards show is coming to Nova Scotia for the first time.
Cape Breton was chosen as the location for the 2027 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA).
They’re taking place in Sydney from April 8 to 11, 2027.
Destination Cape Breton CEO, Terry Smith shares with us why the chosen location makes sense for the area.
“Music is really within our DNA in Cape Breton. We probably produce more musicians per capita than most places on the planet and it’s not just that. We have a track record of producing talented musicians, but we have an abundance of music lovers here,” he states.
“Whenever the East Coast Music Awards or Nova Scotia Music Week come to Cape Breton Island that the event is a tremendous success, and they always want to come back and that’s just because people really support musical events.”
He says local artists will be showcased, including some as award nominees.
Smith is also excited that hosting this event will help boost tourism.
“It’s being able to fill a soft spot in the calendar that will fill hotel rooms and ensure that our restaurants are buzzing so there would be a strong economic impact from hosting the award,” he expresses.
This event will give the island a strong kick off to spring tourism that will hopefully carry on through the rest of the summer, according to Smith.
He reveals Sydney was chosen as a good fit because of the range of venues within a fairly condensed area, along with things like availability for guest accommodations.
The CFMA board members toured several potential venues when they visited Sydney last week.
Smith says spirit, culture and creativity is something that that’s really a part of Cape Bretoners as people.
“We’re inspired by this place. [It’s] one of the most beautiful islands on the planet and that that really spurs people to want to create things from that inspiration, whether it’s music, fine crafts, other kinds of works of art [or] developing businesses and just being innovative. I think that’s all part of what makes Cape Breton really special.”
Destination Cape Breton plans to work closely with the CFMA to help promote the event and attract as many people to the island for this national music event as possible.
