Rockers Chilliwack and Canadian folk legend Valdy will co-headline the Tri-Port Music Festival when it returns Aug. 10 for its third appearance at Cluxewe Resort north of Port McNeill.
Established in 2011 by local promoter Dave Stevenson and then-partner Andre Kaufmann, the Tri-Port Music Fest is taking a step forward with this summer’s lineup, which features arguably the two biggest names in its brief history.
Chilliwack enjoyed its hit-making heyday in the 1970s and 80s, and Valdy arrived on the scene with his first solo hit, Rock and Roll Song, in 1972. Still, the acts are both known commodities with recognizable hits and professional lineups, both of which found success in Canada and the U.S.
The widely varying lineup for this year’s festival includes the funky jazz fusion and latin sounds of Victoria-based Coco Jafro, the pop-infused country-blues of Scotty Hills; the genre-bending indie-folk/rock/bluegrass trio Sugar Beetles and the multi-era cover band The Impalas from Vancouver Island.
“We wanted to get back to providing a variety of styles,” said Stevenson, noting the 2013 festival more closely resembles the diversity of the debut event in 2011. Last year’s festival was more oriented toward blues and rock acts. Kaufmann, who moved south from Port Hardy after helping run the first festival, appeared here last year with the Victoria blues quartet Michigan Curve.
The outdoor festival runs from noon-10 p.m. and features a full concession and beer garden, kids playground and numerous merchandise vendors.
Tickets for the full day are $30 each and are available in advance at Cafe Guido and at Cluxewe Resort. Vendor booths are also available; to secure a booth or for additional info, call Stevenson at 250-230-0776.