Never been outside North America, but I have found some diffences between Canadian and American festivals and audiences.

Canada has some huge and very very good festivals, like Winnipeg, but the scale of these events is actually much larger than the active folk music community. In comparison, it seems American audiences sing more, and I think a higher proportion of them play an instrument in a folk style. Pains me to admit it, but there it is.

Also, we don't have the dance scene--contra-dancing, clogging or whatever that the States has. Contra-dancing is just getting started in some of the larger cities and is not something you'll find in smaller-town events.

Most Canadian festivals, though, have a very lively and strictly cordoned off beer garden, and the site on the whole is very family friendly with great kids areas and activities. And at Winnipeg, your pass has a little calendar on it with each day of the festival marked. Every time you buy a beer they punch a hole in the area for that day--and you're limited to four holes (beers) a day! How's that for je-ne-sais-quois?

A proud but objective Canadian

Willie-O