Movin’ and Groovin’ at the Filberg Festival – Saturday, August 4

By Keith and Heather Nicol

    With basically a whole new line up of musicians we were looking forward to hearing a variety of music at the Filberg Festival in Comox on Saturday, August 4. This year the weather has turned out to be just right for the festival with sunny skies and temperatures that are pleasantly cooled by its seaside setting.  Our plan was to head down early and check out the artisans we didn’t see on Friday and to see catch the music at the 2 stages.  

There is an international flavour to the festival this year with this group from Mexico-Son de Madera

       With over 100 people displaying their wares it is overwhelming to try to see it all at once so we suggest getting a weekend pass to be able to leisurely return to check out those vendors that you want to buy something from.  Also if you get down early you can get better parking places closer to Filberg Park. The festival organizers do a commendable job of getting a variety of performers and the first group we saw was a group from Mexico- Son de Madera.  This group played at the Comox Rotary stage which we love since it offers both sun and shade depending on your preference.  We then caught Roy Forbes at the Peninsula Co-op stage and although he has been around for along time this was our first experience listening to him. He told us about his recent accident that left him legally blind – “I now get to wear sunglasses all the time” he told the audience with a chuckle. He sure is a great guitar player and song writer.  It was then back up to the Comox Rotory Stage where we saw our favourite t show so far- The “Paperboys” who wowed the standing room only crowd with their great variety of music from Irish fiddle tunes (our favourite) to Latin and Bluegrass. They even had us singing along and many people were up dancing. Don’t miss this group!  And there is lots more great music to come over the next couple of days. 

The Paperboys had people 'dancing in the street'

  Also a reminder that the money raised for from the Filberg Festival goes to restoring and improving Filberg Park and Lodge so come out and take in the great music and arts and crafts displays.  For more information on the Sunday , August 5 and Monday, August 6 line up of artists and performers at the Filberg Festival see: http://filbergfestival.com/   

The setting for the festival is first class with mountain and ocean views