The Peterborough Folk Festival has announced beloved Canadian children’s music duo Splash’N Boots will perform at the 34th annual music festival taking place on August 19 and 20 at Nicholls Oval Park beside the Otonabee River.
Over the past 20 years, Nick “Splash” Adams and Taes “Boots” Leavitt have become a household name as Splash’N Boots, with their live concerts, original music, and television content moving and inspiring children and families to connect through music, be fully present with one another, and experience laughter and joy together.
“The much-loved Children’s Village is one of the most popular aspects of Peterborough Folk Festival, with family-friendly activities like crafts, face-painting and children’s performers all weekend long on the dedicated Children’s Stage,” says Peterborough Folk Festival chair Rob Davis in a media release. “We can’t wait to see the Yellow and Blue Crew kids parade from the Children’s Village to enjoy Splash’N Boots on the Main Stage.”
In 2014, Splash’N Boots was nominated for their first Juno award for Children’s Album of the Year for their album Coconuts Don’t Fall Far from the Tree. They were nominated again in 2015 for Happy Times, in 2016 for Songs from the Boot, in 2017 for Big Yellow Tunes, and in 2018 for Love, Kisses and Hugs, winning the award in 2019 for You, Me and the Sea and in 2021 for Heart Parade, which also earned them a 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award.
The duo released their latest album I Am Love last October, featuring 10 songs provide a safe space for children while encouraging them to express their emotions and grow together.
“Every album we write is inspired by the children we meet,” Adams said about I Am Love, which was nominated for a 2023 Juno. “This one, perhaps more than ever, was written after seeing what children faced over the past few years — the changes they went through, their bravery, their strength.”
VIDEO: “Collecting Hugs” – Splash’N Boots
“They have faced so much uncertainty and unique challenges that we cannot possibly fully understand from their point of view, but we can provide them with support and listening ears and music that might lift them up and help them remember that they are never alone,” Leavitt added.
Across their 14-album career, Splash’N Boots have over 7.5 million streams to date, over 12 million views on YouTube, and hvae performed over 5,000 shows across North America. On television, they have appeared daily in more than 8.5 million homes across Canada with their number one TV show The Big Yellow Boot on Treehouse TV and Disney Jr. Canada, and recently wrote and produced an episode for Sesame Street.
In addition to their own original music, Splash’N Boots have collaborated with a wide range of artists including Alice Cooper, Brett Kissel, Johnny Reid, Alan Doyle, Simon Ward of The Strumbellas, The Wiggles, and Sharon and Bram. Along with their music, the duo is committed to raising awareness for important causes for children. They are the creators and stewards of “Lucas’ Letters”, a worldwide pen pal program for children with autism, and their philanthropic efforts include supporting organizations such as SickKids Hospital and MusiCounts.
The 2023 Peterborough Folk Festival kicks off with ticketed concerts on Thursday, August 17th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and Friday, August 18th at the Gordon Best Theatre, followed by an admission-by-donation weekend of music and more on Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th at Nicholls Oval Park. Splash’N Boots will be performing at the festival on Sunday.
The festival has already announced renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt will be the Sunday headliner, and organizers will be making additional announcements during June, including the Saturday headliner, the complete line-up of performers, and the festival’s emerging artist.
For more information about the festival, including how to get involved as an artist, volunteer, or vendor, visit www.peterboroughfolkfest.com.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the 2023 Peterborough Folk Festival.
