Cranbrook is getting ready to rock once again — though when is it ever not ready?
The Rock the Kootenays Classic Rock Festival is returning to the heart of the city and the heart of the summer in just a few days, with the first power chords to vibrate outside Western Financial Place Friday, August 9.
There is a change to the Friday line-up — due to a scheduling conflict, Toronto will not be able to join this year’s festival. However, organizers are announcing that Prism will joining the festivities for the second straight year, opening the festival on Friday, August 9.
The full weekend schedule includes Prism, Big Wreck and Trooper on Friday; Doug and the Slugs, Chilliwack, 54.40 and Glass Tiger on Saturday, with Nick Gilder Sweeney Todd Group, Aldo Nova, Headpins and Nazareth on Sunday.
Organizers are reporting that ticket sales are going well, pushing close to 3,000 a day as of last week. Nine food trucks will be on site, and Encore Brewing will have the beer tent.
The City is making some adjustments from last year, including the grounds being made a little bigger, with more space for people to wander, with a food truck area and picnic tables, set a little apart from the main concert area.
The festival opens Friday, August 9 at 5 pm and 2:30 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with acts performing until 10 pm each night. The City of Cranbrook is reminding local area residents around the festival grounds at Western Financial Place are reminded that there will be elevated noise during these three days.
Those living along 2nd Street North, Victoria Avenue, 21st Avenue South, Anderson Crescent, and 17th Avenue North can expect to experience most of the concert noise from the Western Financial Place festival grounds throughout these three days.
Parking will also be at a premium during the weekend event. To ensure everyone has the best possible experience, the City is asking that concertgoers find alternate ways to get to the festival grounds. Festival goers are encouraged to either walk, use transit, or take advantage of off-site parking downtown or in nearby public parking lots.
Out of respect to nearby residences and businesses, the City will be closely monitoring parking along residential streets within the vicinity of the festival grounds.
The map attached shows potential public parking locations concertgoers can use during the three-day festival. The College of the Rockies has also allowed concertgoers to park in the lower-level parking lot and walk down but does not allow for anyone to camp overnight.
Moir Park will be open for Rock The Kootenays concertgoers to use for camping from Thursday, August 8 to Monday, August 12. Security will be in place at Moir Park throughout the weekend. If you are looking for a spot to camp for the concert weekend, visit tickets.cranbrook.ca and register for a spot.
As well, BC Transit and the City of Cranbrook are announcing free transit for the weekend of August 9 – 11.
All transit, including handyDART services will be free starting Friday August 9 until Sunday August 11.
There will also be three free shuttles at the end of each night starting at 10 p.m. with the last shuttle of each evening leaving Western Financial Place at 11 p.m. The first shuttle will take customers from Western Financial Place to Tamarack Centre and the Walmart Plaza, the second shuttle will take customers on a loop around the Southside of Cranbrook, while the third shuttle will go to Moir Park.
Find out more about ‘Rock The Kootenays,’ ticket info, camping registration and more by visiting www.rockthekootenays.ca/.
