River Rock Music, Arts and Food Festival attracts performers from the Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, August 10 - 11, 2018

This press release was originally drafted and distributed by Sean Camp, Artistic Director of the River Rock Music Festival. As a proud partner of this event, the Town of St. Marys is sharing the release on his behalf.

Perth County's favourite outdoor music festival is moving into the Town of St. Marys this summer and will include members of The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo. The fourth annual family-friendly music, arts and food festival has also added a second night of talented musical acts, and will now take place both August 10th and August 11th.

Launching off the Festival on Friday evening will be local favourites Corduroy Gordon, followed by the roots-based pop/rock group Upside of Maybe. Festival alumni My Father's Son will be returning as a trio this year before ending the evening with the top of Canadian bluegrass, the rousing headliner, Slocan Ramblers.

Saturday's festivities will begin by featuring local talents at an open mic-style setup followed by a rare duo performance with nationally-renowned blues guitarist Rick Taylor and Rant Maggie Rant's singer/guitarist Barry James Payne. St. Marys-native Greg Ball will be returning with his band Campfire Liars Club which includes frontman Paul Langois of the Tragically Hip for a special performance.

Indie folk/rock group Olivia and the Creepy Crawlies will give a lively performance, leading up to the powerhouse group Dead Flowers, featuring star musicians from Blue Rodeo, The Beauties and Flash Lightnin' with their salute to the rock'n'roll country era of The Rolling Stones. Sisters Liv and Anita Cazzola make up the vibrant duo The Lifers and are next to light up the River Rock stage.

The headliner for the evening is Toronto's dynamic super-group Lemon Bucket Orkestra, who describe their sound as Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Party-Punk. This band is famous for its upbeat playing and powerful vocals, always seducing the crowd to get up and dance. You won't want to miss them!

Continuing to follow the Festival's mandate of "local, sustainable, beautiful," this fully-licensed event will be expanding on it's delicious and tasty assortment from local food and drink producers, unique one-of-a-kind artisan wares, fun kid's activity area and interesting social and art-based workshops.

River Rock has become known for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint with Artistic Director, Sean Camp, being asked to share his knowledge at the City of Stratford's Energy and Environment Committee as well as with other event organizers. In order to reduce waste going to the landfill, disposable cups will not be available at the event, and instead people are encouraged to bring their own mugs or buy one of the souvenir mugs available at the merchant tent. Signage for recycling and compost bins will also be set up to encourage people to sort their waste properly and all profits will be used for local Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and St. Marys-based environmental efforts.

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Details-at-a-glance
Website: www.riverrockfestival.rocks
Location: Lions Park, St. Marys, Ontario (located at the north end of Milt Dunnell Field, 80 Water St. N)
Dates: Friday, August 10, 6:00 -10:00 pm and Saturday, August 11, noon - 10:00 pm
Tickets: Online or in person at Snapping Turtle Coffee (St. Marys), Pass It On Eco-Thrift (St. Marys), and Black Swan Brewing (Stratford)
Cost: Fri - $25, Sat - $50, Weekend $55 + HST. Children 12 and under are free!
Parking: On-site
To know: There are no ATMs on site but there are several nearby. Disposable cups will not be on site, so bring your own or buy a mug there!

For more information please contact:
Sean Camp, Artistic Director
519-284-0858 or riverrockfestival@gmail.com