39 Days of July 2026

Artistic Director’s Message

‘community needs be a verb, not just a noun’

   This is actually our 15th edition (triple checked) of this wonderful community vision known as the 39 Days of July, never thought it would get this far and I don’t know how much further it can go, but I ask you all to enjoy as much of it as you can

   It is an anomaly, maybe never to take place again, so cherish as much of this festival as you can whilst you can

   Again the scheduling for a project this size is gruesome, hard and yet so magical as to how it falls into place, almost difficult let go and send it off to the press - releasing that which you cannot hold any longer

   So my intent is to have as many people as will happen, to witness as many people on stage performing their hearts out, possibly in a genre you are not accustomed to, but do remember it will always be genuine

   Over 75% offered up is original music and sometimes thoughtful renditions of songs written by others yet all with intent to let the audience have precious moments to take home with them, to be pulled out when a pleasant memory is required to raise ones spirits

   I made sure there is enough danceable music near the end of each day so as you go home and sleep well

   So tell all your friends (and non-friends) as well as your relatives to visit you during the festival so they too can enjoy all this fabulous entertainment - let us make this the bestest turnout ever and prove to all that we do live in ‘a rather fun place to be’

‘never let money get in the way of a good idea’

So how do we pay for a festival of this magnitude?

We walk around with our donation bucket asking for people to put in what they can afford to, not what the performers on stage are worth by any means – these monies collected go into a general fund to subsidize performers thru out the duration of the festival

We are fortunate that businesses and the public in general have taken on sponsorships towards the concerts in the City Square, their money goes into general performers fund as well to make sure our contractual requirements are met

Performers take major cuts to what they deserve as a wage, Duncan Showroom Productions owns the tents and stage and the PA system used on the City Square Stage and because of funding very seldom get their worth for rentals

Think more of a ‘folk’ festival as opposed to a ‘rock’ festival when it comes to festival etiquette.

For all the work that goes into this festival we do ask that the audience be mindful of the performers on stage as well as the people sitting beside them as audience, to not be that distraction that people have to take home as the memory of what should have been a very memorable spiritual moment for everyone. And what a great time to educate your children on how to honour the performer on stage and not be that distraction to any performer, no matter the cute factor

Longevity John Falkner

A.D.

 A MESSAGE FROM

MAYOR MICHELLE STAPLES

On behalf of the City of Duncan, welcome to the 39 Days of July!

 Every summer, downtown Duncan comes alive with music, laughter, and the unmistakable feeling that something special is happening. Locals, visitors, and passersby all find themselves swept up in the rhythm—dancing in the streets, lounging in the park, and discovering the incredible shops, flavours, and people that make this city shine.

 The 39 Days of July isn’t just a festival—it’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and everything that calls us to the beautiful Cowichan Valley.

 This year’s lineup promises more of what we all love: soulful sounds, foot-stomping beats, and moments that bring summer to life.

 So come join us. Whether it’s your first visit or your thirty-ninth, 39 Days of July proves—again and again—that the City of Duncan is, indeed, a rather FUN place to be.