Who's ready for a little rock 'n roll by the ocean this summer?
Prefer your tunes with a country twang? Or a full symphony orchestra? You'll find those, too, and more during this year's Beachfest, a 5 1/2-week sunsational celebration, July 13 to Aug. 18 at Parksville's Community Park & Beach.
Beyond the magnificent sand sculptures, crafted by talented artists from around the world, Beachfest features a full line-up of musical entertainment, notes Lloyd Derry, Entertainment Director, Parksville Beach Festival Society, which manages the Parksville Outdoor Theatre on behalf of the City of Parksville.
"We're excited to welcome our third summer season chock-full of entertainment – it just keeps getting bigger and better every year," Derry says, noting that recent additions to the theatre sound system means the audio quality will also be even better than before.
Kicking things off is a sold-out Footprints Security "Opening Weekend" show from iconic Canadian rockers Trooper, but the beat just keeps going from there.
Eight FREE concerts follow with the Tim Hortons Summer Concert Series, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 19, 20, 26 & 27 and Aug. 2, 3, 16 & 17. From classic rock and blues from The Jason Lane Band to country favourites from Tailgate to the best of the 1980s and beyond with Freeze Frame, this is the series for music lovers!
Building on last year's sensational event, the weekend-long Mid Island Co-op Rock the Park Music Festival returns to the stage Aug. 9 to 11.
Celebrating old-time rock and roll, classic rock and more, the festival features some of the industry's top tribute acts – Bad Medicine's Bon Jovi tribute, Gaslighter's Songs of the Dixie Chicks, Sticky Fingers' Rolling Stones Experience, Nautical Disaster's Tragically Hip tribute and so much more. In short, the best music from the last seven decades will light up the Parksville outdoor theatre this August. Check out the full schedule here.
Tickets are $45 for a single day or $80 for a three-day pass (plus GST and fees), with discounted pricing for youth; children 12 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Reserve your tickets at shop.mcmillanartscentre.com
Wrapping up Beachfest's musical celebration once again is 'Symphony by the Sea' Aug. 18, an afternoon performance featuring the Vancouver Island Symphony, sponsored by Carol Riera, Personal Real Estate Corporation. Bringing the full symphony experience to the outdoor theatre, tickets are $45 for adults and $10 for students (children 12 and younger free).
Tickets for all ticketed events are available in person at the box office or online from shop.mcmillanartscentre.com Note that animals are NOT allowed inside the concert area, other than service animals.
Food trucks will be on hand and beverages available, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. While outside liquids aren't permitted, guests are welcome to bring an empty water bottle to fill at the water station inside the venue. A shuttle is available to pick up festival-goers from several points, and DO bring a chair to relax and enjoy the show – plus your dancing shoes, in case the music moves you!
Plan your festival experience at parksvillebeachfest.ca
