About Us
The Forest Festival takes place each August in Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve. The Reserve's 70,000 acres are home to many activities, from the world's longest forest Canopy Walk to Canada's only freshwater tour submarine and renowned Wolf Centre. Canada's first FSC-certified forest, Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve is committed to sustainable and integrated resource management
The Forest Festival was founded in 2007 by Stuart Laughton and for a time operated in association with R. Murray Schafer's Patria Music/Theatre Projects. Emerging fully independent in 2009, the Festival appointed Sean Pennylegion as General Manager and began working in earnest towards the creation of a self-sustaining (no public funds) arts festival that reflects the ideals of Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve. The Festival's Advisory Board includes Peter Schleifenbaum, Barb Bolin and David Bishop.
Stuart Laughton
Best known as a classical trumpeter, Stuart Laughton also plays with the roots/rock band Porkbelly Futures. An original member of Canadian Brass at age 19, he was appointed principal trumpet of Milan’s famed La Scala Opera at age 23 and in Canada has appeared as concerto soloist with the Toronto Symphony and Winnipeg Symphony. Stuart founded Opening Day Recordings in 1993 as a means of promoting Canadian artists; five of the 20 recordings he produced received JUNO nominations. Stuart is closely associated with composer R. Murray Schafer and was formerly president of Schafer’s Patria Music/Theatre, which presented memorable productions in Haliburton Forest. He recently re-joined Canadian Brass for a three-year stint, concertizing globally and appearing annually at Lincoln Centre with the New York Philharmonic brass. In Porkbelly Futures -- a group he founded and which featured author/musician Paul Quarrington -- Stuart plays a bewildering variety of instruments including pedal steel, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, lap steel and dobro. Stuart lives in Burlington, Ontario and is a budding nature photographer.
