Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES festivalgoers ages 19 and over won't have to remain planted in a garden to enjoy an alcoholic beverage.
New to the event this year, alcohol served at beverage gardens by the Main and Barn stages may be carried across the festival grounds to the various concert stages.
Festival organizers announced Tuesday, July 16, that this change will bring ROOTSandBLUES in line with other festivals that have had success in allowing the same.
"This move has been made after a TON of research and consultation with fellow Canadian festivals that have made this change and stuck with it for several years," reads a post shared by ROOTSandBLUES over social media. "All have reported decreases in binge drinking and disorderly behaviour after making this change."
With the change, there is also the requirement that alcoholic beverages remain in the clear cup they are served in; they cannot be poured into water bottles or other containers. Furthermore, festivalgoers cannot bring in their own alcohol; people found with outside alcohol will be required to dispose of it. Also, disorderly/disruptive behaviour remains unacceptable, and those who "misbehave and cause a problem, alcohol or not," may be asked by security to leave.
"We expect the same safe, and fun vibe that our festival has always had," said festival organizers. "You, our patrons, make this festival community incredible and we don’t think allowing you to have a drink at your stage seat rather than in the beverage gardens will change that!"
For those preferring something else to quench their thirst and keep cool, in addition to the 35-plus food vendors there will also be water refill stations set up across the festival grounds. For further relief, there will also be mister stations. Another way to beat the heat: the Shuswap Tourism Chill Zone where people can relax in the shade.
The 32nd ROOTSandBLUES Festival runs July 26-28 at the Salmon Arm fairgrounds. Leading up to the event, however, is a week of free concerts in downtown Salmon Arm.
The ROOTSandBLUES Tuned-Up concert series at Ross Street Plaza gets underway at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, July 22, with local legends The Salmon Armenians. On Tuesday, it's Mia Kelly, followed by Chicken-Like Birds on Wednesday. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, BuenRostro performs a special Wednesday on the Wharf concert at Salmon Arm's Marine Peace Park, and again on Friday at 11:45 a.m. at the Ross Street Plaza. Thursday at the plaza it's Krut (11:45 a.m.), with Munro & Patrick closing out the concert series starting at 10:30 a.m.
Also on Thursday, July 25, is the ROOTSandBLUES kickoff concert, starting at 6 p.m. at Alexander Street and Hudson Avenue. Performing at this free event are Montreal-based Japanese psych-rock band TEKE:TEKE, followed by the Afro-psychedelic sounds of South Africa's B.C.U.C. (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness).
For tickets and more information, visit rootsandblues.ca.
