Bruce Cockburn gets standing ovation at Winnipeg Folk Festival as he's given key to the city

Music legend Bruce Cockburn has played for crowds at the Winnipeg Folk Festival for five decades, but before taking the stage Saturday, he received the city's highest honour.

Mayor Scott Gillingham presented the key to the city to the Canadian singer-songwriter, who was written more than 350 songs and released around three-dozen albums. Cockburn is also an advocate for human rights and the environment.

The key to the city recognizes the significant contributions of dignitaries visiting the city.

Valerie Shantz, the festival's executive director, said the crowd gave Cockburn a standing ovation.

"It was a really beautiful moment," said Shantz.

Some of Cockburn's best-known songs include Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Wondering Where the Lions Are and The Coldest Night of the Year.

Cockburn, who turned 80 in May, made a special detour from his tour to be part of the celebration for the festival's 50th anniversary.

Cockburn performed at the first Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1974, which was organized to mark Winnipeg's centenary.

"He was so really important in that first year," said Shantz. "He's just been an incredibly important artist for our festival."

Shantz said Cockburn also performed at the festival in 1975, 1978, 1984, 1998, 2006 and 2017.

"He, too, shares that affinity with the Folk Festival and he feels like this is a really special place for him," she said.

Cockburn is an officer of the Order of Canada, recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 13-time Juno Award winner, the city said in a news release.

This is the second time Gillingham has given out the key to the city.

"The mayor's choice to honour the festival by honouring one of our artists, I thought that was a really lovely touch," said Shantz.