CARP – Head to the Carp Ridge EcoWellness Centre Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and experience true joy.

“A new two-day festival brimming with live music, dance, cirque, drumming, art, nature, inspiration, conversation and storytelling will help us focus on enjoying life,” JoyFest co-founder Stephanie MacGregor told West Carleton Online. “JoyFest will be bringing a happiness boost to Ottawa and surrounding regions the weekend of Aug. 31 at the Carp Ridge Ecowellness Centre.”

Featuring local musicians Megan Jerome, Caroline Gibson, Angelique Francis, The Sticky Keys and many more, this festival will also entertain with live performances like hula-hooping, circus arts and Taiko drumming.

And there will be plenty of opportunity to do more than just watch and listen. Festivalgoers will be able to sing in a pop-up choir, get up and dance, do some drumming, go for a walk in the woods, and make some art.

“We used to live in nature and connect with our world face to face,” MacGregor said. “But now we live in cities and tap on screens. JoyFest is meant to bring back wonder to the stress and tiredness we feel in our lives.”

JoyFest is the first major event for Fire in the Belly Adventures. The company was started in January 2019 by MacGregor and Kristina Karpinski to help people rediscover life’s mystery, sparking a new way of everyday living. Fire in the Belly Adventures plans unique, in-the-moment experiences and adventures – near you and around the world – so people can invite more magic into their lives.

“I know you’re tired but come, this is the way.” Rumi.

Joy seekers are able to purchase tickets through www.JoyFest.ca.  

Interested sponsors, on-site vendors and volunteers should reach out to info@joyfest.ca.

Stay tuned as West Carleton Online will have two day passes to give away to lucky subscribers later today – we’re just formulating our prize plan.