WATCH: It’s festival season here on the Island and Rock the Shores is back after taking a one-year hiatus. The three-day music festival starts Friday and the entire weekend is supposed to be a hot one. Luisa Alvarez takes a look at what you can expect and what they’re doing to help those attending stay safe in the heat.
The main stage is up and the final touches are being put in place but there’s plenty more to do for Rock the Shores.
The three-day music festival, which runs from July 13 to July 15, is back again after taking a one-year hiatus and organizers are doing things a little bit differently. It’s classically a rock festival but this year, they’re offering a more musically-diverse experience.
Nick Blasko, director with Atomique Productions, which puts on the festival, said each day has a bit of a different vibe.
“Friday leans more pop and we have some dance music and some EDM and its almost like the Friday night party. Saturday is about rock and roll. It’s Social Distortion, it’s The Sheepdogs, it’s Roper, it’s the classic Rock the Shores experience. Sunday is almost like a modern folk festival,” said Blasko.
They’ve also added “glamping: tents, reserved seating for those wanting to secure a spot and kids under 12 are free. Noise-cancelling headphones for children will also be given out for free.
Thousands of people will swarm the field in front of the Q arena over the weekend and on their peak day, Saturday its upwards of 6,000.
“Beautiful weather local food local beverages lots of familiar faces a great event for Vancouver Island,” said Blasko.
It’s expected to be a scorcher with temperatures that could reach low thirties but they’ve taken precautions to make sure festival goers stay cool and hydrated.
“We’ve added another shade tent on the south side of the field. We have doubled up our water stations. Once again we have seven different water stations around the site but in general, it’s sunscreen, it’s bring a hat, it’s stay hydrated, all these types of things. We’ve had this type of weather before on this site and its amazing,” said Blasko.
There is also an on-site harm reduction tent, RCMP officers, and St. John Ambulance to make sure everyone stays safe.
Next week for Duncan’s 35th annual Islands Folk Festival, it’s still expected to stay hot and much of the same precautions will be put in place.
Luisa Alvarez
