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SunShine Music Festival
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
we had so many hugs, such good times
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
tons of kids
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
It's a sunny
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
amazing to have the beach right there, so you could watch the sailboats
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
Sunshine Music Festival
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
Sunshine Music Festival
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
Sunshine Music Festival
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Nicole Narbonne & Peak Publishing
Sunshine Music Festival
By Clayton Brander
As you walk down the forest path, the music and the lapping of the waves overtake the sound of the breeze through the towering Douglas Fir trees and you eventually find yourself under the big tent at the Sunshine Music Festival, located at Palm Beach Park in Powell River, BC. On Labour Day Weekend this year (August 31st – Sept. 1st) locals and visitors alike will meet here for two days of music, food, crafts, and fun, just as they have for each of the past thirty-one years. A modest festival by comparison to some other music festivals around BC (500-600 people per day is typical), it’s one of the oldest festivals and it certainly has some of the most loyal audience members, a number of whom can say that they’ve been in attendance at every one of them.
The Sunshine Music Festival started out way back when as the Sunshine Folk Fest but has since morphed into the Sunshine Music Festival so that a wider variety of music can be presented, and variety is something this music festival has plenty of. Blues, marimba, Americana, jazz, bluegrass, rock, and foot-stomping Celtic will all be heard over the weekend, and the food and craft booths will offer tons of tantalizing items for the palate and for the eyes. This family-friendly event is completely volunteer-run and the ticket prices are kept as low as possible in order to allow it to be accessible to the greatest number of people. Kids under twelve are free when in the accompaniment of an adult and an adult two-day pass costs just $50 ($40 for students and seniors). You’ll have a hard time finding more entertainment for less money, that’s for sure.
Visitors to the festival should always make sure to take some time either before or after the event to check out beautiful Powell River, which is just up historic Hwy 101 about 20 km. Situated on the shores of the Strait of Georgia, Powell River is known locally as The Pearl on the Sunshine Coast. Begun as a company town just over one hundred years ago, it is still home to the paper mill that was the catalyst for the town, but it’s much more than just that. Outdoor activities including fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and camping abound, with many campsites that support RVs being in reasonable proximity to the festival grounds. In order of closest to furthest they are:
Palm Beach Estates RV Park
http://palmbeachestates.ca/home.html
Seabreeze Resort
http://www.seabreezeresortbc.com/
Kent’s Beach
http://www.kentsbeach.com/
Saltery Bay Provincial Campground http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/saltery/
As well as nature enthusiasts, Powell River is home to a large artist community, many with studios around town. And did I mention that there were musicians? Lots and lots of them, some of whom will be featured at the festival. There’s always stage time set aside for local talent, not just because it’s local, but because it’s so damn good and we like to show off what the area has to offer.
Venturing further North will take travelers right to the end of Hwy 101 and into Lund, a beautiful little community right at the door of Desolation Sound. Picture postcard views and great food greet those who make the journey, and tours up into Desolation Sound can be arranged through local businesses. A number of campgrounds, both public and private, can be found in the Lund/Okeover Arm area.
When attending the festival, there are a few things to take into consideration that will make life much easier. Bring a blanket or low-backed chair to sit on so that you and those around you can be comfortable yet still see the stage. The large and beautiful tent provides shade to many of the audience members, but sunscreen and a hat are always good things to have on the Sunshine Coast in the summer. Pets aren’t allowed into the festival; so whether you’ve got a dog, cat, iguana, goat, or other animal, please keep it at home or back in the RV. The festival is making many attempts to become zero-waste, so if it’s possible, please bring your own plates and cutlery – we’ll have dishwashing stations available. Plates and cutlery will be provided to those who don’t have their own. Also, bring your own water bottles and fill them up at our free drinking water stations set up around the festival grounds. There’s a beach, so bring your swimsuit for an afternoon dip, and maybe a sweatshirt for when the sun goes down.
The Sunshine Music Festival starts at noon on Saturday and 11:00 AM on Sunday and usually ends between 9:00 and 10:00 at night. For more information about the festival, accommodations, some of the campgrounds in the area, directions on how to find the festival, and the artists performing this year please go to www.sunshinemusicfest.com. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the gate for the same price.
See you there!