The Longstock Music and Arts Festival is back.
The weekend-long event returns to Smith-Fuller Centennial Park in Longview Aug. 12-14.
Jess Waterman-Hals, vice president of the Longstock Music Association, said bands, fans and volunteers alike look forward to gathering once again, for what she believes is the busiest weekend of the year for the Village of Longview.
“This is the first year back since 2019,” Waterman-Hals said, “so everyone's very excited to be hosting it for the first time since then.”
She has been involved in the event since 2018 and said organizers are working hard to keep the weekend true to its roots but improving every year, and there are a few changes for the festival’s 13th edition.
A brand-new Friday night Sneak-a-Peek, with dinner and entertainment, kicks off the festival that traditionally took place on Saturday and Sunday only.
The dinner is being prepared by a Longview business, Badlands Catering, and people will need to buy tickets in advance from the festival’s website.
Also new this year, there is free entry to the market and food trucks.
“This year, we've done it a little differently. It's free admission to the vendor market. You just have to pay admission to get into the beer garden,” Waterman-Hals said.
With 16 bands performing, plus vendors and food trucks, there is something for everyone at the family-friendly festival.
A different band will play every hour and “lots of them are super excited to just get back into the festival and the live music,” said Waterman-Hals.
The lineup includes local favourites the Travelling Mabels, Levesque Family Band, Over the Moon, Mitch Belot Band, the Prairie Dogz and Saints & Sinners.
Many patrons are from the local area, but people come from B.C. and from around Alberta to take in the event.
“For such a little town, it's so nice to have such a popular little festival,” Waterman-Hals said.
With food trucks and a playground, it’s a great place to take the kids, and that’s a big draw for people, she said.
“I think what's so nice is that it's so family oriented.”
Waterman-Hals appreciates all the businesses that have stepped up to sponsor the event, and said things are still very challenging for a lot of small businesses, but she singled out one sponsor, Foothills Truck Sales and Service.
"They've done such a great job at supporting us and we cannot thank them enough."
The Longview business has sponsored both headlining bands, she said.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday can be purchased online or at the gate. Cash, debit and credit cards will be accepted.
For more information, or to buy tickets in advance, visit www.longstockmusicfestival.com.
