The 3rd annual Grindrod Musik & Arts Festival
Grindrod festival hits a high note with families
By Kristin Froneman – Vernon Morning Star
With classic rock and heavy metal taking up the stages in Armstrong-Spallumcheen this weekend, and the Komasket Music Festival sidelined until next year, festival seekers looking for a family friendly event need not look further than Grindrod.
The third annual Grindrod Musik and Arts Festival takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Grindrod Recreation Park.
With the festival’s admission being a suggested minimum donation of $5 per person, festival dwellers will have access to as many as 10 musical acts on the main stage, an open mic on the side stage, an art wall, where visitors can contribute their creative talent, an art show, kids’ activities, miscellaneous food and goods vendors, a drum circle, and more.
“One of the things that sets us apart from other festivals is that we celebrate and promote only local talent from our own backyards,” said Rory White, who has taken part all three years, and is running the open mic as well as helping to organize the festival this year.
“This year we have some great names from the Okanagan, Shuswap and Thompson-Similkameen regions.”
The Grindrod Musik and Arts Festival was started three years ago by Phil Wesle, of the band Clayvious, who wanted to have a Woodstock-type of gathering on his family’s farm.
“With his mom Gabriele’s encouragement, they investigated the idea of having it at the park in Grindrod instead, which was looking for more groups to use the park and thus the festival was born,” said White.
Festival attendance has steadily increased since then.
“We had around 800 last year and expect around 1,000 or so for the day this year,” added White.
Musical guests this year include Silver Creek folk duo Blu and Kelly Hopkins, Vernon’s acoustic trio Steel Wound, Kamloops’ blues band Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce, Vernon’s Celtic-Maritimers Cod Gone Wild, as well as Salmon Arm singer Aimee Laws.
Other acts include Sorella, Medderick, Pingo, Transplant, K-Town Drifters, InCanto, and performances by Enderby’s Got Talent contestants.
“It is a family-fun day kept very affordable for all to enjoy. We do have a page on Facebook, so you can check us out there for more details. As it is a family event, we do not serve alcohol. There is, however, the Riverfront Pub right across from the park for the adults who wish to have such beverages there,” said White.
Those wishing to volunteer at the festival can get in touch with White at 250-503-8027 or send a message on the Grindrod Musik & Arts Festival page on Facebook.
