03/22/2024
Sorry to have to announce this. Thank you for picking Fox Mountain as your festival venue for the last few years.
Good morning Bush Rockers,
It has been quite a run that is for sure and memories last to keep us smiling about the great times.
When the idea of a music festival in a field was first suggested, that seemed impossible, but it happened. We grew from a jacked up hay wagon that first year that didn't really count in 2003, but still had a heck of a lineup, to the entertainment highlight of the summer for many. From 2004 on, our not for profit event was often just that, but that never kept music lovers from coming out and didn't stop the fantastic performers from climbing on our stage to entertain. We also always made a donation as promised each year to the charities we wanted to help, 4-H and St Andrew's Lutheran Church, even if that donation was a small one. Over the years we have watched so many acts grow from stepping up to the mic and "rocking the bush" for a first time, to becoming award winning extremely notable acts that are found all over the region. I remember how proud I felt the year New Year's Eve at Grande Parade in Halifax had all former Riverfest acts as their entertainment to ring in the new year, as an example. The past 19/20 years did not happen without it's share of less than favourable occurrences. From needing NSP to do last minute repairs so we had power for the show, to flooded stages and wet gear, to muddy conditions on the field. The year we had to use a tractor to tow the taxi with the headline act to the stage stands out, and the crowd singing Bad Bad Boys as they were towed out after the show was epic. As we all got older, the idea of a weekend in a tent was less appealing and that along with other factors led to us moving to the Fox Mountain Camping Park to continue the Riverfest journey. This proved to be a great decision as it gave us more flexibility for camping options and a stage that didn't rely on zip tied tarps for protection from the elements.
Through it all Riverfest has been dependent on two things, the volunteers that looked after everything from the organizing of the acts, preparation of the site, stocking refreshments, and keeping things running smoothly on stage, to ensuring there were lights and toilet paper in the "sh****rs". But even more importantly than those that organized and presented Riverfest, our event would have never existed without the incredible talent that graced our stage. If you do the math of an average of 25 to 30 acts on stage over two decades, that is over 500 acts that crossed our stages. These performers volunteered to be there. They put in the hours/years of work to develop and practice their show to come out and perform and the only thing they ever got in return was the applause of our Bush Rockers, and the odd light beer. No thank you could ever be enough to everyone that made this music festival dream come true.
So by now, you have probably figured out that this is a farewell. With so many to thank over the years, a list would not be fair, or even possible, so a general THANK YOU is the best I can do. I will mention my bush brother Jason, Mom and the Riverfest committee that each year have sat around the table to make decisions, it has been a run for sure. To all of you, whether you performed or just enjoyed, Thank YOU for the memories and one hell of a great time for many years with RIVERFEST.
Thanks for Rockin The Bush!
Jonathan - Riverfest (president)