Words by Jan Lee
Canada's seasonal festivals are legendary. From eclectic winter festivals that extol the quirky benefits of North America's chilliest season (after all, where else would you expect to find a hair freezing festival than the heart of the Yukon?) to the beauty and richness of its multicultural history and traditions, Canada has a party to fit just about every mood and season.
Still, nothing seems to bring Canadians together better in the summer than its music. Whether your destination this August is the East Coast shoreline, the warm parklands of the prairies or island hopping through BC's favourite summer haunts, it won't be hard to find a music festival to join – and one that is relatively close to camping and RV parks.
Mark Rash
Photo: Mark Rash
Photo: Mark Rash
Purchasing your Tickets
Of course, as with every summer attraction, timing is everything when it comes to getting the seat (or RV site) you want. Consider taking a moment to plan your itinerary before your trip and purchase tickets ahead of arrival. These days, most music venues offer tickets online, either through their own site or supporting venues, making it easier for you to schedule both the event and your accommodation ahead of departure.
Some festivals provide camping areas on site, and many of the larger events are equipped for RVs. They are often in high demand and fill quickly though, so scoping out the nearby parks before purchasing your tickets is wise, as well.
Peter Kohl
The 2019 Music Festival Scene
If rock and roll is your shtick, you likely won't have a problem finding a festival to enjoy along your route. Canada's summer festival tradition grew up sampling some of the best homegrown rock there is to offer. But rock isn't the only genre that has made Canada famous and it certainly isn't the only type of ambiance there is to enjoy this summer.
Mark Rash
Sunfest Country Music Festival
Lake Cowichan (Duncan), BC
Aug. 1-4
August kicks off with Vancouver Island's Sunfest Country Music Festival, located on the shores of scenic Cowichan Lake, BC. For western music fans, the relatively new festival offers a great venue for enjoying both established and up-and-coming artists. Since 2011, the Sunfest has hosted the likes of Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Travis Tritt. This year's list includes Michael Ray, Dave Hartney, Kendra Kay and repeat performer, Rollin Train Wreck.
Sunfest is no slouch when it comes to drawing attendance, so prepare for large crowds. The crowd topped 40,000 in 2014 when Tim McGraw's performance closed down the festival.
A wide variety of pay-per-site camping and services are available on site (and they are popular; most sites need to be reserved months in advance) as well as throughout the surrounding area. They come with a list of rules and restrictions. No dogs (except for service animals) are allowed in the camping area.
Private campgrounds in the Lake Cowichan area are spread up and down the east coast of Vancouver Island and are abundant in and around the Duncan area.
Music of the Sound
Parry Sound, ON
July 19-Aug 10
If your summer destination includes a visit to the town of Parry Sound, Ontario this year, be sure to leave some time open for its legendary music festival, Music of the Sound. This year celebrates the festival's 40th year of popular performances. The festival culminates in August with a string of classical and jazz performances, talks and other special events highlighting the area's rich musical history. The second week in August is set aside for jazz and includes its two-hour Jazz Cruise through the Sound. Events are reasonably priced but seats will fill quickly.
Parry Sound has a small cluster of private camping areas, ranging in size and amenities, and most with easy access to fishing and water sports. The Parry Sound KOA, which can host RVs up to 90 feet in length and Oastler Lake Provincial Park, which has dry sites but plenty of fishing span the range of RV accommodations. Be on the lookout for boil alerts at the provincial park water filling stations.
Indian River Music Festival
Indian River, PEI
June 8-Sept 15
https://indianriverfestival.com
Prince Edward Island's renowned Indian River Music Festival is another attraction that runs concurrently through the summer. Set in the town's historic St. Mary's Church amid PEI's rambling farmlands, the festival offers an excellent showcase of Canada's expansive and varied musical history.
The festival routinely hosts a variety of musical genres, and this year will be no exception. Its August and September performances will include a tapestry of folk, roots, pop, and Parisian melodies.
PEI is small enough that travel times are short from just about any part of the island. A 30 to 40-minute drive takes you to RV sites with ocean views, stunning sunsets, and full services. Green Park RV, in Tyne Valley, has both 2- and 3-way sites as well as a local museum and attractions.
New Richmond Bluegrass Festival
New Richmond, QC
Aug 28 – Sept 1
A six-hour drive north along New Brunswick's and Quebec's eastern coastlines takes you to another festival, this time dedicated exclusively to bluegrass. The three-day New Richmond Bluegrass Festival, which takes its name from its locale, features artists from all across North America. This year's lineup includes artists from New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia, as well as musicians from Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.
New Richmond's festival is RV friendly and is equipped for dry RV camping. There are also a number of private full-service RV parks in the area, listed on the festival's website under "Camping."
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Iceberg Alley Performance Tent
Pleasantville, St. John's, NL
Sept 12-21
http://icebergalleyconcerts.com
The Iceberg Alley Performance Tent is set on Newfoundland and Labrador's Quidi Vidi Lake, in the Pleasantville neighbourhood of St. John's. Its musical affinity is broad and its performances draw visitors from across the country. This year will feature the first performance in 12 years for the Juno-nominated band, Crush, as well as an eclectic mix of Celtic artistry, folk, and rock.
The festival has accessible wheelchair seating with a direct view of the stage and allows individuals with accessibility requirements to be accompanied by an attendant at no additional cost. Parking, however, is limited on the site grounds.
There is plenty of camping in and around the St. John's area, including sites that overlook the water, including the provincially managed Pippy Park, an oasis inside scenic St. John's.
Deep Roots Music Festival
Wolfville, NS
Sept. 26-29
Wolfville, Nova Scotia's Deep Roots Festival is a distillation of everything that makes the town's unusual music cooperative a success – including its infectious community spirit. The three-day festival, which always occurs in the last week of September, is set in Nova Scotia's spectacular Annapolis Valley. It's a great time to take in the fall colours as well as enjoy some of the co-op's carefully chosen music performances. Kids, both young and old can learn how to make instruments, dance and participate in public performances. The festival culminates with a musical parade that is open to all ages.
There are a number of RV parks close to Wolfville, including Highbury Gardens Campground and RV Park, which offers 2-way and 3-way service, and the family-oriented Sherwood Forest Camping Park, in nearby Coldbrook, NS, which offers special activities and amenities for guests of all ages.
For many RV travelers, there is no better way to experience Canada than through its music and its diverse cultural landscape. Pick a destination, or pick a favourite genre this summer – you're sure to find more than one music venue that will be worth the journey.
John Robichaud