Sooke River Bluegrass Festival and Tall Tree Music Festival
Back once again, the ever popular Sooke River Bluegrass festival goes this coming weekend, June 18-20 for three full days of music, camping, and hopefully, sunshine.
Held every 3rd weekend in June, the Sooke River Bluegrass Festival is well known for being a family-friendly affair, and the setting couldn’t be better – at the Sooke River Campground, along the banks of the river. As music festivals go, it’s tremendously affordable, with a weekend pass going for only $35, and single day passes also available. There is on-site camping for both tents and RVs, and a huge lineup of players, including The Spinney Brothers and Four Chords of Wood.
With the summer weather having finally arrived, I can’t think of a better way to take in some great music!
New (as far as I know) this year is the Tall Tree Music Festival on June 25 and 26th, being held on the edge of the earth in beautiful and rustic Port Renfrew, about an hour’s drive west along the highway from Sooke.
A 2 day festival featuring bands such as Aidan Knight, Current Swell and, uh, Donkey Dong (yeah, you probably don’t want to Google that), you’ll be listening and camping on the site of the old Rec Retreat on Baird Road just past the general store in Port Renfrew. This site is soon to become Wild Coast Cottages (post on this to come soon). The festival is being held in support of “Avatar Grove,” the stand of old-growth trees recently “discovered” in the area. A group called Ancient Forest Alliance wants to protect this special place for all to enjoy for posterity.
Anything happening in Renfrew is a great idea in my opinion. The tiny village of about 200 is well known for great fishing, and as a jumping off point to hike the West Coast Trail or the Juan De Fuca Trail. I predict that it will grow in popularity in the coming years, much like Tofino has.
If you go:
- NO DRINKING DRIVING – and there will be roadblocks (pretty easy when there’s only one road).
- Uneven ground & coastal weather – bring good footwear & clothes
- If you plan to camp on site you must buy a camping pass separately
- There is no gas in Renfrew so GAS UP IN SOOKE (or Lake Cowichan if you’re coming that way)!
- No cash available on site – BRING CASH
- No vehicles on site – caravans can stay in the parking lot
- Carpool – let’s save the planet & avoid congestion. Free parking for carpools of 3 or more.
- 19+ event – there will be a Salt Spring Ales beer garden
- No campfires, no pets, no bad attitudes.
Have an event in the Sooke Region this summer? Send me the details and I’ll post about it here!
–Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional
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