Throngs of Squamish residents and event-goers streamed steadily into the Squamish Valley Music Festival’s (SVMF) grounds at Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Thursday evening to take in the first night of the multi-day music extravaganza.
Although Thursday evening is traditionally the soft start of SVMF, with the festival really kicking off its “three-days” of music and visual arts performances on Friday, the event seemed to be already in full swing, thanks to organizers offering Squamish residents free access for the night. In the past, residents could pay $25 and access the grounds on opening night; however this year Thursday was a free “festival sampler” night. The idea appears to have been a success, with many in the smiling crowd enjoying the sights, sounds and festival ambiance there for the first time.
“I’m here because it’s free,” said Thomas Hunt, while walking with his six-year-old son Avery to the entrance of the festival. “This is my first time coming to the festival, so I’m not sure what to expect. I would like to volunteer in the future, though, so I am also here to check out the volunteer tent.”
Hunt commended SVMF organizers for offering the free night to Squamish residents.
“It’s a good way for the community to come out and support the festival,” he said. “And once they know what is going on inside, maybe they’ll want to volunteer or start coming here regularly.”
Carly Amirault was also there for the first time for the free night of music.
“As locals, it was an opportunity not to be missed,” she said, standing near the Stawamus Stage with her husband, Rejean, and children Nevin, 6 and Everly, 4. “I wasn’t sure at first [about bringing children], but I heard from previous festivals that this was an acceptable event for families. So, we’re here to expose our kids to a different variety of music and people and to give them the festival experience.”
Over at the Blueprint Arena where Whistler’s Mat the Alien was whipping up the dance floor with throbbing beats, Isabelle Ranger and her kids were enjoying their free passes to the weekend event, also courtesy of organizers.
“We live close by, so they gave us free passes to the whole event to compensate for the noise and everything,” she explained. “So, we came down tonight to pick up our passes, and decided to stay and enjoy the first night with everyone else. We’ll stay tonight as long as the little ones can last.”
She said they were particularly looking forward to Sunday’s headliners, Mumford and Sons, and also commended SVMF organizers on offering the free evening to residents.
“All locals free is a wicked idea,” she said. “It gets people involved, and then there are fewer complaints. It’s great that they are doing all these things. I think if they continue to take care of everyone, then we’ll take care of them.”
