It’s full steam ahead for the River Rats Festival’s entertainment subcommittee, with this year’s entertainment lineup quickly coming together.
As part of the accelerating process leading up to June 29, organizers are “working on making some of the decisions, keeping up to date on who’s been secured for entertainment,” according to Shelly Boersma, who sits on the Magnificent River Rats Festival’s entertainment subcommittee.
Seeking out volunteers and communicating with sponsors is also underway, as well as “some of the more technical things that have to be figured out.”
The entertainment subcommittee, which also includes Ida Edwards and River Rats vice-president Duane Fitzsimmons, is responsible for coordinating the entertainment lineup for the upcoming festival.
More are expected to join the lineup, but more than a dozen artists have been confirmed: Victoria Duffield, The Odds, Julian Austin, Calvin Vollrath, Danita (from the Plamondon area), The Whiskey Boyz (featuring Kenny Polanski), Whiteboy Slim, Cow Punchers, Rene Boisvert, Ty Hart, Downbeat Daddy, Swingcat Orchestra and Wajjo.
“We’re doing a mix. We’re not going one day country, one day rock. This year we’re doing a whole mix. Something for everybody is kind of what we’re pushing (for),” Fitzsimmons said.
Organizers are still looking for local performers to keep the momentum going between major acts.
“For (my) first time doing something like this, it’s been a huge learning curve, very interesting and exciting,” said Edwards, who has performed for the festival in the past but never helped organize it.
“I’m pumped. We’ve got an exciting lineup, and … we’re working with the local talent.”
Edwards said she is working to get local artists to fill out an application form so they can get “an inventory of our acts in the community,” and give future committees a leg up.
Boersma said the application form is available on the website for any local artists to fill out and express interest.
“It’s been hectic, we’re just a small group, and we’re always looking for volunteers,” said Fitzsimmons.
There’s something for everybody this year, according to the organizers.
“There is the kids portion, the park that’s going to be there, and there’s a little something for everybody,” said Fitzsimmons, speaking to the “wide spectrum” of musical performers lined up. “Our price is right, $15, you can’t beat that,” he said.
Admission for students and seniors 55 and up is $10, although age categories are still being worked out.
Fitzsimmons said the full schedule is likely to be finalized in the next week or two.
Boersma said, “I think it’s quite a mixed bag (of music), but I think it’s going to be fun that way to have the range of musical styles and so there will be something for everyone.”
Calling the mixed musical line up “world music,” Edwards said they are “going to make a tribute to the River Rats who came from all over the world to find a new life in Athabasca, and we’ve got African (music), we’ve got fiddle music, we’ve got some blues, we’ve got a little bit of reggae, and some good old country, and honky-tonk, and local people who have written music and are performing it, and it’s awesome.”
The River Rats Committee is currently seeking a treasurer as their past treasurer had to leave, and they are also looking for a volunteer coordinator.
For more on the event, visit www.riverratsfestival.com.
