With summer just around the corner, the music festival season is gearing up for another rocking summer.
Hinton’s Wild Mountain Music Festival recently announced it’s final lineup with headline performances by Sloan, Corb Lund and Joel Plaskett Emergency.
“Across the board we’ve never had talent this solid top to bottom,” said Brain LeBerge, president of the festival.
“We’ve been able to bring people a solid cross-section of wicked, good music.”
The three-day music festival, from July 17 to 19, includes 21 artists and bands and will be held at Entrance Ranch, eight kilometres north of Hinton off of Highway 40.
Opening night will feature a quirky lineup of country performances by bands such as Marystown, Del Barber, and Ridley Bent. Corb Lund will end the evening with some traditional country music.
“We’ve tried a number of times to get Corb Lund, so signing him was a lot of fun,” said LeBerge.
Saturday’s lineup will feature a little more rock ‘n’ roll, starting with Sarah Burton, followed by Whitehorse and headliner Sloan.
Sunday’s artists will keep the energy alive with performances by Bill Durst, Sarah Smith, Billie Zizi and more. Headliner Joel Plaskett Emergency will close the festival.
“We’ve spent more on Sunday this year than we ever have by a long shot,” said LeBerge, “We’ve tried to put together a solid three-day festival and signing Joel Plaskett for Sunday was a real coup.”
He said this year organizers have spent about $195,000 on bands, about $30,000 more than last year.
For those looking for the full experience, rustic camping is available. Camper trailers are also welcome, but there is no water or power hook ups. Campers are also advised to bring their own drinking water.
The Wild Mountain General Store will be selling necessities and food vendors will also be onsite during the festival.
“We will run out of tickets before we run out of camping,” said LeBerge, adding there are 3,000 weekend passes available.
For those bringing their own supplies, glass is not permitted. Campfires, dogs and ATVs are also not permitted.
To avoid getting caught in traffic, there will be shuttle buses available for pick up and drop off from four different locations in Hinton, including Servus Credit Union, The Old Grind, Best Western and Parks West Mall.
For those looking to save a few bucks, but still want to attend the festival, organizers are still accepting volunteers. Volunteers will have to spend 12 hours working during the festival or 16 hours doing pre-festival set up to get a pass.
“We’re so proud of the fact that this is Canada’s largest 100 per cent volunteer run festival. We don’t have a single paid employee. Everything that’s done is done by volunteers.”
Weekend passes cost $175. Individual passes cost $80 on Friday night and $95 on both Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.wildmtnmusic.ca or follow the festival on Twitter with #WildMtnMusic.
Paul Clarke
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