Roots and Blues Festival fans will once again get the chance to explore the Shuswap by taking in fine-dining, hiking, and excellent music as part of the Routes and Blues program this summer.
Routes and Blues, which consists of a number of satellite concerts across the Shuswap, has been organized this year by two students from the Netherlands.
Bran Terstappen and Marjon Nijdam are enrolled in an International Leisure Management program and have been busy putting their skills to practice since March by developing the Routes and Blues series.
“Compared to some internships, this one is really unique,” said Terstappen. “We get our freedom but have lots of support as well.”
Nijdam says that one of the best parts of the internship is being able to be involved in a project from start to finish.
Both Terstappen and Nijdam, who will graduate after one more year of study, said they wanted to take part in the program because they truly enjoy the international aspect of event planning.
The duo says that Routes and Blues is a great way for people to discover places they otherwise would never see.
“It gives people great insight to explore the communities,” said Terstappen. “People never go there and this lets them discover the Shuswap.”
The program kicks off on Aug. 1, with the first stop in Mara. Blues musician Sherman “The Tank” Doucette will be heating up the evening while guests get to chow down on an organic meal of beef on a bun.
Guests will also get the opportunity to bike or walk on a tour of Mara’s historic land- marks and take in stories of its history.
Sicamous is next on the Routes and Blues lineup. The day will consist of a hike that slopes down the base of a waterfall and climbs up a hillside.
A good old-fashioned turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies will be served before Vancouver band Doug Andrew and The Circus in Flames performs.
Stick around for a fireworks show after the concert.
On Aug. 3, Routes and Blues will be hitting Falkland. Sherman Doucette will be back on the lineup and guests will get a chance to try Falkland Pub’s very own “Sherman Doucette Tank Burger.”
One of Canada’s largest Canadian flags is installed high on a hill above Falkland and guests will be taken on a hike to see it up close.
Next up on the agenda is the small community of Kingfisher.
The day will feature a historic interpretive walk and an Italian-style dinner. The David Vest Quartet will be performing a blues concert in the evening.
Seymour Arm will be featured on Aug. 9 and will feature music by Seal Skull Hammer and Roots Roundup.
The evening meal will consist of authentic, homemade Ukrainian food and the hike will head up towards Albas Falls. Frank Riley will be there telling stories about logging in the area.
The David Vest Quartet will be back on Aug. 10 to perform in Notch Hill. There will also be a hike at Lake Seeker and a meal of macaroni and cheese.
The Routes and Blues trail will then head to Salmon Arm where guests can enjoy Wednesday on the Wharf with folk-roots rockers John and Roy.
Adventurers will also want to pick up an information packet and head out on a treasure hunt at the Salmon Arm Nature Bay.
This year, Routes and Blues will wind down with the Salmon Arm Music Crawl, where musicians such as Joe Nolan and Paul Reddick will play at venues around town.
For more information on Routes and Blues, check out www.routesandblues.ca.
