The 2018 Filberg Festival in Comox has a something for everyone

By Keith and Heather Nicol

When we first moved to Courtenay, B.C. 3 years ago we took in the Filberg Festival and loved its combination of music and arts. And since it is a fundraiser for the lovely Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, it means you are contributing to a good cause at the same time. At just $20 per day or $60 for a 4 day pass at the gate, it is one of the best deals in town. We usually try to get there for the 10:00 am opening on Friday but today we had to drop a friend at the airport. But we did get there in the early afternoon in time to see the R and B Allstars from Vancouver on the Comox Rotary Stage. The Filberg Festival organizers always seem to have a good variety of music and the 2018 Festival has over 20 musical acts performing over the 4 day festival!!

 

The R and B Allstars attracted a large crowd at the Comox Rotary Stge

But the festival is much more than just music. Overall, there are over 100 artisans from across Western Canada displaying all kinds of imaginative creations- including media ranging from metalwork, pottery, toys, woodcrafts, jewellery, paintings, glass, textiles and specialty foods.There are too many booths to see all at one time so we like to space it out and see them all over 3-4 days. And when you get hungry you have a choice of 16 different vendors.

Heather admires some of the glass work of Lisa Samphire

On Friday we loved the energy of the R and B Allstars and their 12 piece band produced a rich full sound. We also like the small Peninsula Coop stage which is down by the ocean and on this day we saw “West my Friend” and “Twin Kennedy”.  We liked the mix of mandolin, guitar and accordion that “West my Friend” featured and their brand of folk-style music. “Twin Kennedy” are 2 sisters from nearby Powell River who now make Nashville home. They are award winning song writers and are well worth checking out. The next few days will feature many other performers so be sure to check out the 2018 Filberg Festival.  For more information on the complete festival schedule see: filbergfestival.com 

 

Twin Kennedy put on a great show