With 2017’s edition of Riverfest in the rear view mirror, organizers have begun counting down to next year’s music festival — and have even revealed one of the headlining acts.
On the final day of the Elora-based music festival, Blue Rodeo was confirmed as a headliner for 2018 and tickets have already gone on sale.
Spencer Shewen, festival manager, said the 2017 edition of the festival — held Aug. 18, 19 and 20 — had perfect weather.
“Even with the little bit of rain we got, it was nice,” said Shewen.
“Last year was scorching hot, with threats of thundershowers. So we were constantly glued to the radar and had a meteorologist on call,” he said.
About 4,500 festival goers attended Saturday alone, said Shewen.
“That’s a comfortable number, not too packed but enough that it’s a full festival,” said Shewen.
The festival has been lucky to get the band lineups they have in the last few years, he said.
2017 featured bands like Sloan, MGMT, Mother Mother, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Gogol Bordello.
“A comment we hear back a lot from the headlining bands is its the perfect size and it feels just like they can come and be themselves — it’s not stressful at all,” said Shewen.
Riverfest is also a festival that many bands bring their family to.
“Monster Truck was here and their whole family came down for the festival, which was just a good marker of what kind of vibe we are putting out there with this,” said Shewen.
For the three days of the festival the population of the Village of Elora swelled from its usual complement of about 7,500 residents.
Shewen said Elora becomes an extension of the festival, and concert goers are encouraged to wander into the village and support its businesses.
“It’s just amazing to see how respectful people are of the town and how much the village of Elora becomes an extension of the festival, too. We really try to make that happen,” said Shewen.
