If three days of camping, international cuisine, artisans and a plethora of musical styles and acts interests you, then the fifth annual Bonfire Music Festival is the place to be.
Bonfire 2009 has a smokin' hot line-up of musical acts including, for the first time, local bands, said festival organizer Keith Duggan.
"We've got our strongest line-up yet," said Duggan. "We have bands that mainstream radio don't pay any attention too, but when you see them, they put mainstream acts to shame."
The festival runs July 31 to Aug. 2. The venue has changed this year and Duggan said with assistance from the Pender Harbour Lions Club, the festival will be held at Lion's Park Fair Grounds north on Highway 101 past the Garden Bay Petro Canada.
Duggan said there is room for about 1,000 campers. Vehicles, RVs, trailers and pets will not be allowed.
Duggan said so far early bird ticket sales have been strong.
"We're way ahead. We've sold more advance tickets than in the first four years combined," he said.
Ticket prices have been lowered significantly in order to make the festival more accessible to everyone.
"We dropped weekend passes by about 15 per cent and [the pass] includes camping and parking and music for three days," Duggan said.
Day passes can be bought at the gates and have dropped in price by almost half.
Each day has a different number of acts, so costs vary per day. Duggan's partner has lined up vendors that include Thai, Indian and Jamaican food and artisans selling jewellery and clothing. For specific information on the venue, bands and all things Bonfire related, see www.bonfirefestival.com.
