Solstice is nearly upon us, which means the annual Sunstroke Music Festival is almost upon us, too.
For those who are new to the festival, it’s a non-profit fundraiser for Kona’s Coalition. The coalition helps animals in the Yukon by educating people, advocating for animals, and providing financial support when needed.
It is a two-day festival, taking place June 20-21.
Over 30 musical acts from western Canada will perform in Whitehorse. Festival favourites the Whiskydicks, from Vancouver, will again grace the stage.
Also included in the line up are Edmonton’s Raygun Cowboys, The Implicate Order from Calgary, and many more.
There will be music for every taste — from rockabilly and hip-hop to world, celtic, folk, bluegrass, metal, punk, and more.
As with years previous, the Sunstroke menu includes more than music. There will be face painting, bouncy castles, harmonica lessons with Steve Slade, and a hula-hoop workshop with Helena Hrubesova.
Just under 2,000 people rocked out at Sunstroke last year.
Around $12,000 was raised for Kona’s Coalition. To date, the festival has raised over $70,000 for abused, abandoned, and injured animals.
Jordi Jones, of Triple J’s Music Café, is a festival organizer.
Jones says they are in desperate need of volunteers. She also notes that the festival falls on a busy weekend, and organizers are having trouble finding businesses to sponsor the festival.
“Some of our biggest challenges this year are the loss of nearly $10,000 in cash sponsorship,” Jones explains.
Logistical setbacks aside, Jones and the organizers of Sunstroke hope to see the festival evolve musically.
“My single hope for this year is that we can pull off a successful fundraiser, so that we have enough fuel to present the huge tenth annual next year,” she says. “We need everyone in Whitehorse and surrounding communities to attend the event. I’m also excited at the prospect of getting exposure for our incredibly talented local musicians.”
The 2014 Sunstroke Music Festival is at Shipyards Park on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21. It runs from noon to midnight both days.
Weekend passes are $40 and can be purchased in advance, while day passes will be available at the front entrance: $25 for adults, $20 for youth/seniors and free for children under 12.
For more information, visit www.triplejsmusic.ca
Those who would like to volunteer or sponsor the event can contact Jordi Jones at [email protected], or by calling (867) 456-7555.
