Robson Valley Music Fest prepares for what could be its final year
By Andrea Arnold
This year’s Robson Valley Music Festival, to be held on August 29-31, could be the last opportunity to experience this local event. After 18 years, organizer Shara Gustafson has determined it will quite possibly be the final curtain call.
However, she is not dwelling on the sad emotions that come with this announcement.
“I am excited about all the acts and activities we have planned this year,” she said. “We have a jam-packed line-up, and it’s impossible for me to say who I am most excited about.”
The full line-up can be found at https://www.rvmf.ca/#/. It includes a diverse array of artists, from sister duo Piqsiq who specialize in Inuit throat singing to Montreal-based Afrotonix, who play a fusion of African rhythms and electronic music.
The festival will also highlight local groups, including Gustafson’s own band, Dream Heavy, and McBride-based City of Golden Sunsets, among others.
Gustafson is excited for every act, and said she looks forward to a one-man performance of the Star Wars trilogy.
“I saw him perform Lord of the Rings in March,” said Gustafson. “He is so, so good.”
The festival prides itself on being a family-friendly experience. This year, kids will get to see a performance from 13-year-old professional magician Blake Aleong, as well as a puppet show, and workshops in juggling and stilt walking.
The rules around the event have not changed. Organizers ask that smoking only occurs in designated smoking areas, and that there be no alcohol brought in. There are several stages that will host performances and workshops for attendees. They have a variety of food trucks lined up, including the local vendor The Country Girl’s Kitchen, and a large selection of vendors in the Artists Market.
One set of festival goers this year are adding an element of romance, as the venue will host its first-ever wedding.
“The bride attended last year and decided it was the perfect place,” said Gustafson. “She wanted to share the magic. The guests for the wedding have bought about 100 tickets!”
Gustafson expects that tickets will sell out before gates open. She said that as of July 10th they had sold as many tickets as they had by opening night last year, and the speed of ticket sales always increases as dates get closer.
Although the long-term future of the Festival is unknown, Gustafson is sure there will not be an event next year. For now, she’s focusing on ironing out the remaining details for this year.
“It has been incredibly busy getting all the ingredients together,” she said. “Hopefully we can knock it out of the park.”More information about the event, performers and ticket sales are available on their website, https://www.rvmf.ca/#/ .
