It started back in 1988 when Francis Edwards and a few of his musical friends in Vancouver decided they needed an alternative to the Vancouver Folk Festival.

And because Francis was living in the Fraser Valley at the time, the Mission Folk Music Festival was born.

“We had one day, one stage and about 800 people who showed up to watch. We just played until it got dark,” explains Edwards.

They didn’t really have a choice – there was no budget for lights at that time.

Organizing the festival was really about survival. Back in the mid to late 1980s, the only place to play acoustic, traditional folk music was in the odd bar or lounge. Starting the festival gave Edwards a place to play.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” he says.

Now, 22 years later, the one-day event has expanded to three days, multiple stages, more than 20 performers and an average attendance of 7,000 music fans.

“Back at the beginning, Heritage Park had just been created and it was really easy for me to envision a stage on all that green,” says Edwards.

He admits that he had “a good idea” that it would be successful and continue to grow. But with growth comes more work.

“Suddenly it went from playing to applying for funding and bursaries organizing volunteers and all that,” he says.

While the festival did suffer through some lean years – weather issues like a sudden heat wave or pouring rain can really restrict the attendance for an outdoor festival – it still managed to grow at a steady pace.

“I don’t want it to get too big. I want it to remain smaller with more focus,” he says.

Keeping that focus has turned into a full-time job for Edwards, who says that he is usually planning and organizing 16 months ahead.

He has travelled to music festivals all over the world to build relationships and hear new groups. From Finland to Norway and beyond, Edwards is always on the prowl for talent.

“It’s the world I live in. It’s a different world but it’s worth it.

“Almost every act I bring in, I’ve seen live on stage,” he admits.

While Edwards deserves most of the credit for the festival’s success, he is quick to downplay his role and credit others for their hard work.

“It takes a community to build a festival. Volunteers, supporters donors, it’s the little things that add up.

I’d rather get $5 from 20 people than $100 from one person.”

Of course, all the hard work is worth it to Edwards once the festival begins. He says music affects people and that’s all that really matters.

“One time, I brought in a blues band from Mississippi. Two elderly ladies were watching the show and I saw one of them lean over to the other and say ‘Wow, I had no idea I like the blues.’

“That’s what the festival is about.”