The arts and music scene in Sooke is thriving this summer, in no small part because of the plethora of community events driving it.
One such is the Sooke Music & Art Festival, a volunteer-driven celebration gearing up for its 10th year.
Organizers say the festival is ready to “light up Vancouver Island,” with Vancouver rock legends Econoline Crush headlining the event. They'll be joined by 20 other diverse live acts at Fred Milne Park this August.
“It’s a great place for families to come together,” said Frankie Lawrence, a volunteer and festival organizer.
“The thing that gets me really excited is when you’ve got families that have been coming for years and years and years, and now maybe they’re bringing their kids, or their kids are now getting up and performing on stage. I feel like that’s really the true sense of community.”
While music is a major draw, the festival is also set to feature activities alongside its live performances.
Terrier Books will host a storytime, and a robust Family Zone for all ages will include bouncy castles and face painting. Food trucks, a costume contest, beer gardens and a VIP section will even be available this year.
“You’re going to have your own porta potty — and bar service,” Lawrence laughed.
This year, the festival will also showcase art installations, live painting and artisan markets — an element Lawrence is particularly excited about.
“Over the years, we’ve incorporated the arts piece into the festival, making it the Sooke Music and Art Festival, so that way we’re able to bring in artisans and different components,” she said.
“I’m super excited for what the festival can bring in the future, the way it’s going to grow over time. We’re looking at bringing in more performance artists — street artists would be fantastic to have. So if there are any street artists out there, send them my way.”
Ten years in, Lawrence said the festival’s success is largely due to the volunteers who come out to make it happen.
“We have amazing people, and that’s really what does it,” she said. “The Sooke Music and Art Festival is primarily volunteer-driven, so without those humans, the festival doesn’t exist.
“So we really rely on the community to participate and get involved — and if anybody wants to, they can do that through our website at sookemusicfestival.ca/getinvolved.”
While the festival officially kicks off Aug. 8, Sookies won’t have to wait that long. A community opening party will be held at the Sooke Legion on Aug. 2.
The main festivities begin Aug. 8 at 4:20 p.m. with a ticketed performance by Econoline Crush. On Saturday, Aug. 9, the festival continues with a free, family-friendly music event.
Leading up to the festival, prospective attendees can tune in to the Sooke Community Radio station at Sooke.Live for insider information, giveaways, and a chance to get familiar with some of the bands playing this year.
For lineups, tickets and more information on the Sooke Music and Art Festival, visit www.sookemusicfestival.ca.
