Click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Bluegrass Festival

Jul 27, 2015 | 3:37 PM

The Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary and they have a stacked line up with artists from all over North America, and some of our favorites from right here at home too!

In the beautiful setting of the Ness Creek Site and with a small, intimate audience size, you get the opportunity to get up close and personal, and even jam with, some of the best musicians in their field. Whether you have been supporting their festival since day one, or if you have never been yet, this is a year not to be missed!

We sat down with their marketing coordinator Jille Magnus to get the inside scoop on what’s being planned this year.

Q. 10 Years! That’s a long time to be planning a festival? Tell us about it.
Well, I’m new this year so I can’t speak to the entire ten years. But, I will say in just the past year I’ve witnessed volunteers from across the province – many from right here in Big River area – put in thousands of volunteer hours to make this happen. They say it takes a community to raise a child, and it really has taken so many people to raise this festival to where it is today. It’s a labour of love. We are excited to celebrate our ten years and we hope the entire community comes out to celebrate with us.

Q. What do you have planned?
Well, along with our annual music camp, we have a very packed line up with some of my favorite musicians in bluegrass and old time music today! On our main stage we have: The Caleb Klauder Country Band (who’s voices I just adore); The Goodbye Girls (with their old timey banjo and amazing fiddle player); The Lonely Heartstring Band (these boys were in Saskatoon in the spring and blew us away!); The Modern Grass (from Halifax, I have been listening to their album on repeat!); The Osmand Davis Band (from Manitoba, these guys have a very pure bluegrass sound); In With the Old (this band grew up going to our music camp and are now headlining the main stage! How cool is that?!); and Steph Cameron (From Saskatoon, she just got off tour with Buffy Saint-Marie)

There is also going to be a whole lot of jamming going on, so bring your instruments and get ready for some campfire pickin’!

Q- How much does it cost?

Weekend passes are $125 and include camping. Day passes are available for $80. 

Q- Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available at mosaic music in PA.
They are also available online at northernlightsbluegrass.ca

Q- Why have ticket prices gone up from previous years?
Part of the reason we had to raise the price was to make sure we could cover the cost of bringing in world class entertainment. Nearly all of our headlining musicians are professional touring musicians from the United States. Which, of course, is problematic because of the low value of the Canadian dollar. We understand the need to try to keep the festival affordable, but we also can’t consistently lose money. The price of the ticket this year is still a tremendous value. 

Q- Can I volunteer?
Absolutely! Our festival is a non profit and run almost entirely by volunteers who have put thousands of hours into hosting this festival – for no other reason than the love of the music and connecting people with it. If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteers@northernlightsbluegrass.ca

Q – Is it okay to bring my children to the festival?
Of course! This is a very family friendly event and many people come and bring everyone from their kids to their grandparents! There is family camping, flush toilets, coin operated showers and a playground for your convenience. There are no beer gardens so it creates a very child friendly environment.

Q – Just how how awesome is the festival going to be this year?
Haha, very awesome! Like I mentioned before, there is a pretty amazing line up and a whole bunch of people coming to dance the night away. This is a big year for us and it is going to feel like a big family reunion. I have no doubt it will be our best year yet!!

The tickets are selling fast and our camp is almost completely full, so if you want to take part in the music and celebration of the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival, head over to one of our ticket vendors or our website www.northernlightsbluegrass.ca to get your tickets today!