More than the music will be hot this weekend.
Environment Canada forecasts sunny days and clear nights for the 19th Annual Roots and Blues Festival playing out at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds Aug. 19 to 21.
While the weather can be a blessing, it can be a curse if proper precautions are not taken.
Take advantage of the shady spots provided on the fairground to get a break from the heat, and keep hydrated with a number of water and other beverages available at several locations.
While the beer gardens are fun, an overlong stay can lead to not-so-good memories of the festival.
A high of 25 C may not seem like much, but the sun is hot enough and strong enough to cause dehydration and sunburn.
So cover up.
Wear hats, long sleeve shirts and pants or cover up exposed skin with a 30-plus sunscreen – particularly for younger festivalgoers. And don’t forget to re-apply frequently, particularly if you take advantage of the water misters provided to help cool patrons down.
Now look down, way down. Be kind to the feet that will transport you about the large site, by wearing comfortable shoes.
But don’t let the large scale of the site scare you off. You don’t need to miss a thing.
The Roots and Blues mobility assistance shuttle is available to transport seniors and others with mobility issues. Disabled access is available on a limited basis on Fifth Street SW.
Once the sun goes down, a cover-up of a different sort is called for. The temperature can drop by 10 degrees or more, so pack a jacket and socks along with your chair and blanket.
About those chairs. Be polite. Take low-back seats so you don’t block the view of those behind you, or move to the back of the field – you can still hear very well.
Tarps are limited to 8’ X 10’, chairs with nine inches or lower legs are given sites closer to the stage and tarps and chairs left overnight will be removed.
Tarps and blankets are welcome up front and are meant for sitting on.
Yes, the music is irresistible, but keep your feet on the designated dancing area. Many families attend the festival and believe it or not, small children manage to nod off, lying beside their parents. We need to keep them safe.
If you do lose sight of your child, look for them at the first aid station. When you first get on-site, show them where the station is and if they’re a little older, tell them to head there if you become separated.
If your child does go missing, look around for security volunteers, who will be wearing red T-shirts. They have two-way radios and will help you with any concern.
Health-care professionals will be at the first aid site on the east side of the fairgrounds riding ring.
They are prepared to handle any minor injuries and will redirect patrons to a higher level of care if necessary.
For the benefit of everyone, particularly those who are allergic to wasps, make sure you put your plates and leftovers in the garbage.
But don’t put those recyclable beverage containers in the garbage. Instead, choose the specially marked containers so the non-profit group cleaning up the site will have an easier job.
While it might have been fun for some, the wild race to the front of the main stage has been phased out. Instead, the ticket area and west gate entrances feature metered entry systems to ensure proper flow and safe entry of patrons and to be fair to those who arrive early.
No bicycles please and, no, you may not save a spot for someone else.
Once your on-site and the first gorgeous notes fill the air, relax, go with the flow and for heaven’s sake, enjoy the sounds of Broken Social Scene, Jonny Lang, The Taj Mahal Trio, John Butler Trio, the Arkells and so much more.
This fabulous music of the world is here in Salmon Arm for just three days – so much to hear, so much to see, so much to do!
