Concerts and festivals have been held at Fort 91原创 National Historic Site (FLNHS) in the past, but nothing comparable to the size and scope of Summerset.
The first-ever three-day music festival spanning Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 will feature a bevy of notable performers including April Wine, Kim Mitchell, The Trews, Rival Sons, The Washboard Union, and Paul Brandt.
Red Door is responsible for shaping the the large-scale line-up, starting out as an events planning branch of Trading Post Brewery and eventually becoming it鈥檚 own stand alone company last fall.
Summerset is Red Door鈥檚 second event after the Fort 91原创 Beer and Food Festival this past May 鈥� a one-day celebration that boasted 25 Fraser Valley breweries and food vendors
Jonathan Houweling, director of Red Door, said just about everything about Summerset is new for both their company the Historic Site.
鈥淭his is the second major event for us and nothing has ever been done quite this size. We鈥檙e expecting 2500-3500 people every day and will have 75 volunteers on site,鈥� Houweling said.
Initially planned for only a single day, Houweling said infrastructure costs would have made tickets far too expensive, so three days allowed for more variety and a bigger experience at a better price.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a more mature demographic 鈥� we don鈥檛 want a teenage rave-type party. But you can鈥檛 really do something like three days of classic rock either. So, we thought 鈥榣et鈥檚 finds some genres that are well received鈥�,鈥� Houweling said.
While the country, pop, and rock acts coming to Fort 91原创 are certainly creating some buzz, the location operated by Parks Canada is a selling feature that Houweling thinks really sets Summerset apart from other music festivals.
鈥淭he venue is the most important element 鈥� it鈥檚 spectacular! There鈥檚 something special about the Fort that鈥檚 so neat鈥� the feeling of history. And for me the mix of evergreens and trees鈥� being surrounded by old growth. It鈥檚 a chance for people to experience the Fort in new ways and see our nation鈥檚 rich culture.鈥�
Read More: Paul Brandt headlines new three-day concert in Fort 91原创
Brigitte Wieronski, visitor experience manager, added to the passion and excitement for the unique Fort setting.
鈥淪ingers love the natural atmosphere and so we鈥檙e curious to see how it goes. Admission to the Fort is included with the ticket so people can come in and visit if they choose,鈥� Wieronski added.
The concert will be happening in the orchard just outside of the actual Historic Site walls. An adjacent market with local vendors will also be open to the public along with food trucks and craft beer on the concert site.
鈥淚 know some people who are bringing their kids in the afternoon for three hours and then dropping them off and coming back for three hours in the evening,鈥� Houweling said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 a family event 鈥� there will be games going on too.鈥�
Though not everyone is comfortable with such a large event, with some residents expressing their concern over the the size and potentially disruptive sound 鈥� Wieronski explained that there are many precautions being taken to make sure all goes well.
鈥淭he stage will be facing the river to limit noise and there鈥檚 a good plan in place to shuffle people to the exit towards parking lot,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ome of our events such as Canada Day actually draw far more visitors than what Summerset is expecting.鈥�
Tickets are available at while Houweling said a few will be saved for on-site sales at the gate. The first set starts at 4 p.m. each afternoon with the final band taking the stage at 9 p.m.
If all goes well, Houweling said he hopes to make Summerset an annual Fort 91原创 festival.
Other artists include Kadooh, The Wild North, JP Maurice, The Matinee, and Jesse Roper.
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