Spirits will be high at this year’s Wapiti Music Festival. Fernie city council recently approved Wapiti’s liquor license.
The festival, on August 10 and 11, will host a newly expanded refreshment garden featuring local wineries and breweries.
Creston BC’s Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery will feature their Gewurztraminer and Rosé. Gehrunger Bros. from Osooyoos, BC, will feature a red wine appropriate titled Summer Night. Orchard Hill Estate Cidery from the south Okanagan is bringing its semi-sweet, fruity Okanagan apple cider. Last but not least, the Fernie Brewery Company will be back for another year of refreshments.
Along with great drinks, there will also be eight different food vendors from Fernie and beyond.
“You definitely want to bring cash because you won’t be able to resist,” said Chantel Souliere, director of marketing, Wapiti Music Festival.
Patrons will also be able to ride and check their bikes instead of driving to the festival.
“This year we’ve quadrupled the size of the bike shack. It’s totally free and gated and secure. You drop your bike off and get a ticket, just like you would a coat check.”
Let’s not forget about the music. Headliners, Born Ruffians, will close out the festival on Saturday night. The rest of the lineup includes Cuff The Duke, The Boom Booms, The Belle Game, The British Columbians, Five Alarm Funk, Red Girl, Michael Rault, Stellar Radio Choir, Sean Ashby, We Are The City, and this is The Shoes.
Souliere wanted to emphasize that kids 12 and under get in for free. Senoirs 65 and older also are free.
Advance weekend passes for the festival are available at Le Grand Fromage in Fernie or online at wapitimusicfestival.com for $45 plus tax until August 1, or until they’re sold out, whichever comes first.
Souliere said tickets are going fast and there is a good chance that people who wait until the last minute will not get in.
People can also buy tickets for individual days. Friday will cost $25 and Saturday will be $50. Day tickets are only available at the gate.
Souliere said volunteers are still need and can sign up at wapitimusicfestival.com.