Less than a week remains before the first ever drive-in edition of the Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival, taking to the stage this Friday and Saturday.

One of the few outdoor festivals still taking place this summer, the Whoop & Hollar festival will have a number of safety measures in place to ensure attendees have both a safe and enjoyable evening. Festival coordinator and co-founder Linda Omichinski explains one of the measures they are taking is to reduce the number of pod passes available each evening from 70 down to 50.

"According to the health guidelines, we're allowed to have two cohorts of a maximum of 100 people," explains Omichinski, illustrating, "we've been averaging three people per pod and that's why we've reduced our pods from 70 down to 50; to honour that maximum of 200."

In addition to the reduced number of pod passes, all festival goers will also be required to wear masks if exiting their designated pod to utilize the restroom.

Each pod pass can host up to six people and it's first come first serve for the choice of spots. Omichinski notes for the sake of sight-lines, festival attendees are recommended to arrive in a car as there are limited spots available for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs.

"There's a lot of room in the pod," notes Omichinski, "they have a total of 400 square feet. The vehicle is there but they can get out of their vehicle and sit or dance or have a picnic with their bubble."

At present, approximately 50% of pod passes have been sold and Omichinski says the deadline to purchase tickets has been extended. It's now 6 p.m. on the 27th for Friday's show and 6 p.m. on the 28th of Saturday's. Tickets for the festival can be purchased online for $10 a pod pass.

Omichinski adds they are considering admitting drive-ups the night of the show for $20 a pod pass, but notes online sales are preferable as they allow for contactless service and a smoother transition from the line-up to the pod. She says updates as to whether or not drive-ups will be allowed will be posted on their website at whoopandhollar.com.

Additionally, the festival is still on the lookout for volunteers to assist in tasks from taking tickets to directing traffic to helping to sanitize sound equipment. If you're interested in volunteering, Omichinski says you can give them a call at 204-428-6800 or email info@whoopandhollar.com.