The annual Labour Day long weekend music festival is back. Bands on the Beach is a family friendly event that brings some of the best local musicians from the Fraser Valley to the shoreline of Harrison for two days of foot-stomping fun.
Local musician Todd Richard headlines the event, and says it has been exciting to watch it grow over the past four years, as anticipation builds and new acts are able to participate.
“Folks can experience and look forward to diversity in the acts with indie rock, country and country rock, folk, and blues rock,” says Richard.
The bands set to perform between Saturday and Sunday include Nicki Meier, Amanda Thate, Whiskey Jane, GB Roots, Headwater, and Sean Hogan.
With people traveling from all over Canada to attend Bands on the Beach, the event certainly helps to increase tourism, but Richard assures that it is more than just generating numbers.
“It gives folks something more to do,” he says. “They get to experience some live music on what’s quickly being known as the most beautiful backdrop for an outdoor concert.”
Robert Reyerse of Tourism Harrison agrees.
“This is one of the few free festival concerts and it has really added to Harrison’s reputation as a great music destination,” he says.
Tourism Harrison and the Chamber continue to support Bands on the Beach not only because it provides entertainment for locals and day-trippers alike, but also because of the overall positive impact it has on the community.
“A common complaint in the past has been there is nothing going on during the Labour Day weekend and this event has changed Harrison into a happening place that weekend,” says Reyerse. “It has helped to improve Harrison’s reputation in the Fraser Valley.”
Bands on the Beach takes place on August 30 and 31, rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, the location will be moved to the St. Alice Hall at the Harrison Hotel property.
“Hopefully we can luck out four years in a row and it will be nice and sunny,” says Richard. “Fingers, toes and everything crossed.”
