Melanie Ross Breen, a renowned Miramichi musician, will be taking over as volunteer director of the Miramichi Folksong Festival.

Susan Butler has served as director for 39 years, and said it was time for a change.

Ross Breen has been performing at the festival since she was 10 years old, and said she's honoured and humbled to take on this role. She has played alongside Butler's children and other musicians at the festival, and has emceed portions of the event for over 20 years.

This will be the 65th year of the Miramichi Folksong Festival, and will take place from August 4th to 7th. She said the festival will return to its roots at the Beaverbrook Kin Centre, and will be shortened to a weekend event, from its previous week-long format.

Anyone interested in volunteering at this year's folksong festival is asked to email melanierossbreen@gmail.com.