IROQUOIS – The Point in Iroquois will definitely be the ‘place to be’ from June 13th to June 15, this summer.
Over three days, one of the best Bluegrass celebrations either side of the border will welcome 11 top bands to our town during the ninth annual Galop Canal Bluegrass Festival. Ticket sales have already kicked off for this highly anticipated musical event.
The Galop Canal Festival has built a glowing reputation among musicians and music lovers alike over the years. In 2018, nearly 800 people attended the festival, with even more visitors expected this year.
“We have 250 rough camping spots up at the Point,” said Festival organizer Barb Rabideau, “and they were totally gone by the time the Festival started last year. People are already booking them for this year, so campers need to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Facilities are also available at other local campgrounds, with the McIntosh Inn and Conference Centre offering a “Bluegrass Special.”
Full weekend and day passes are available on line or at the gate for visitors planning to take in all the fun and first class entertainment this June.
The Galop Festival is welcoming 11 outstanding bands to the Point this year, performers who will offer up some of the best bluegrass music around.
From Tennessee, USA, comes Dreamcatcher and Carson Peters & Iron Mountain.
The Bluegrass Unit is arriving from Nova Scotia with Ray Legere & Acoustic Horizon coming in from New Brunswick.
Tyler Comeau & the Highway 10 Boys will be here from Quebec.
And from our home province of Ontario, look for Sweetgrass, Hacks & Buggies, Grassy Fiddle Tyme, Backsliders, County Road 44 and Barn Katz.
It’s going to be a show made in heaven for fans of this classic music. “We’ve heard all these bands,” Rabideau said, “and they are great.”
Just to add to the community’s enjoyment of this gala event, Dreamcatchers is doing a pre-show at Stone Crop Acres Winery on Wednesday, June 12, 5-7 p.m. and again on June 13, at the Hartford Retirement Residence during happy hour, 2-3 p.m. On Friday, June 14, Grassy Fiddle Tyme, will also be performing at the Hartford during happy hour.
Everyone in the community is welcome to drop in and listen to some great bluegrass music at these admission-free events.
Amateur musicians will also have a chance to take part in great on-site workshops, as some of the artists will be offering the chance to sit down and perform with them. Those workshops, which will likely include fiddle and banjo, will be announced at the Festival itself.
There will be great on-site food for Festival guests, including Weiner’s Fresh Cut Fries, new this year. Vendors will also offer musical products and souvenirs.
John Cameron Audio is scheduled to handle the technical demands of the Festival. The outgoing and genial emcee for the Bluegrass Festival is Rick Leben.
The hard-working local volunteer organizers of the Galop Canal Bluegrass Festival include Barb Rabideau, Cassandra Barry, Jaina Prost, Peter Asquin, Larry Michaud and Don Hopple.
“There is a lot of excitement building as the Festival gets closer,” Barb Rabideau said. “People are looking forward to the great music and the fun.”
Online, contact www.galopcanalbluegrassfestival.com for tickets and information.
