The festival is produced by Sappy Records in partnership with OK.Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival, Struts Gallery, and the Faucet Media Arts Centre.[2] SappyFest draws musicians and audience members alike from across the continent. Many Sackville residents volunteer their time to SappyFest, either by billeting visitors, working security, taking tickets, or taking on a slew of other tasks. Steven Lambke served as Creative Director of Sappyfest, from 2017 to 2021.[3][4] Andrea Vincent is the current Creative Director of Sappyfest, succeeding Steve Lambke in February 2022.[5]
By year
2006
Headliners for the inaugural festival were recently reformed Eric's Trip, performing two nights, August 4, and 6.
SappyFest X was temporarily relocated to York Street due to a major reconstruction of its usual home on Bridge Street. Performers included Angel Olsen, PUP, Shotgun Jimmie, and Jennifer Castle
For SappyFest 15, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, a scheduled livestream was held instead of in-person live performances. Titled "SappyFest: Near And Far", it was held on July 29 - Aug 1, 2020. The 2020 lineup included: Ariel Sharratt and Mathias Kom, Bart Vautour, Colleen Collins, Emma Healey, Egyptian Cotton Arkestra, Geordie Miller, Hélène Barbier, Jennah Barry, Jon McKiel, Julie Doiron, Kate Miller, Kawama Kasutu, Klarkam Weinwurm, Kwento, Lavender Bruises, Laura Watson, Marilyn Lerch, Lido Pimienta, Patrick Allaby, Rachel Thornton, Rebecca Roher, Steven Lambke, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Sue Goyette, USSE, and Wares.[16]
2021
SappyFest 16, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, scheduled a livestream performance titled "SappyFest: Infinite Variety",[17] instead of in-person performances, and broadcast live from Struts Gallery, on July 30–31, 2021. The 2021 lineup included Amy Siegel, Ariel Sharratt & Mathias Kom, Erin Bardua, Black Dimes, Brandon Hicks, Brian Neilson, Bucky Buckler, Caged Animals, Century Egg, Chris Meaney, Cluttered, Elm & Ampersand, G.L.A.M. Bats, Marilyn Lerch & Geordie Miller, Izzy Francolini & Desdemona Shaw, Jerry Ropson, Jeska Grue, John Kilpatrick, Jon McKiel, Julie Doiron, Klarka Weinwurm, Laura Watson, Lucy Koshan, Marissa Sean Cruz, Olivia McNair, Phil Mercier, Rachel M Thornton, Rebecca Blankert, Sarah Wendt & Pascal Dufaux, Theo Crocker, Wandarian, Tori Weldon and Wolf Castle.[18]
2022
SappyFest 17 is scheduled to take place during July 29–31, 2022. The festival is currently looking for submissions.[19]
Weston, Greg. Times and Transcript. Early tourism numbers promising; Season shows early signs of growth as NBers stay close to home. (Moncton) Wed Jun 17, 2009. Page: A9