The Roots and Blues Festival is extending its outreach roots again this year.
The fun starts long before the festival gates are open.
There’s lots to see, hear and do prior to the three-day grand finale, which plays out Friday, Aug. 17 to Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds.
There are hikes, concerts and community events throughout the region as part of the festival’s outdoor outreach program, Routes and Blues. Check it all out at www.routesandblues.ca.
The festival is also offering free concerts at a number of locations throughout the local area. Check out these fun-filled local events that begin this Friday:
• Friday, Aug. 10 – Roots and Blues T-Shirt Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Uptown Askew’s, including live local entertainment with Seal Skull Hammer as Askew’s staff reveal the new 2012 festival T-shirt design.
Wear your Roots and Blues T-shirt from festivals past and take a donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank for your chance to win great prizes. Grand prize is a Twin Anchors houseboat vacation.
• Wednesday, Aug. 15 – Enjoy free concert performances on Shuswap Lake, featuring The Shuffle Demons and Shred Kelly belting it out live from atop a Waterway Genesis 75 houseboat.
Everyone is welcome to this event sponsored by SiriusXM Canada and Waterway Houseboats.
Times and locations:
Herald Park Day Use Area – 11:00 a.m., Canoe Beach 1:30 p.m., Salmon Arm Wharf at 4 p.m.
Twin Anchors Open House – 5 to 7 p.m. Stop by the Salmon Arm Wharf to take an onboard peek inside a Twin Anchors houseboat.
Wednesday on the Wharf at 6:45 p.m. features a performance by Shred Kelly.
This event is presented in partnership with the Salmon Arm Arts Centre.
Donations to Second Harvest will be gratefully accepted.
• Thursday, Aug. 16 from 4 to 11 p.m., join the Salmon Arm Music Crawl, which will take place at various locations throughout town.
New this year, the event features live local entertainment which includes Seal Skull Hammer, Aimie Laws, Kelly and Blu Hopkins, Otterstorm, the Dust Puppets and much more.
Admission is by donation at each venue. See Routes and Blues website for exact times and locations.
• Sunday, Aug. 19 at 10:30 a.m. the festival, in partnership with First United Church, presents another gospel service, featuring the music of the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers.
“With all this activity and music whetting your appetite for the grand event, you won’t want to miss the 20th Annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival,” says festival sponsorship director Lori Wilbur.
“Enjoy a world of music on six outdoor stages, featuring Serena Ryder, The Trews, Coco Montoya, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Five Alarm Funk and much more.
Roots and Blues weekend and day advance tickets are on sale until Aug. 10 at midnight, after which gate pricing will apply. Buy now and save at www.rootsandblues.ca, or call 250-833-4096.
