The crowds descended on Bissell Park last weekend for this year’s edition of Riverfest Elora.
“The event was great,” said festival manager Spencer Shewen in an interview on Aug. 21.
“I think it was probably the best year to date … our attendance was really great, but also just the overall atmosphere and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.”
The outdoor music festival, which ran from Aug. 18 to 20, saw a close-to-capacity crowd, with about 5,000 people a day for a total of approximately 15,000 people over the weekend.
“That’s what the site is designed to accommodate,” said site director Shawn Watters.
The nearly sold out festival went against the trend this year.
“We know some of the other festivals … have had a … struggle this year, where we kind of were the opposite of that,” Shewen said.
“I think that people are really starting to trust us as far as our lineup goes and the overall experience at the festival. This is the first year it felt like we’ve really developed a culture behind Riverfest and people are really starting to realize that and buy into it.”
Watters explained Riverfest is also unique because of its location.
“Riverfest is a reflection of Elora … and Centre Wellington as well,” he said. “The whole festival itself is designed around going into the community, whether you’re camping or going to the after parties or shopping … it’s a real opportunity.
“Unlike a lot of festivals, where you’re in the middle of a field somewhere, it’s really part of the community.”
This year’s headliners included Monster Truck on Friday, MGMT on Saturday and Gogol Bordello on Sunday.
Riverfest also tried a few new experiments this year.
“Every year we try something different,” Watters said. “It doesn’t mean … that will sort of become part of our culture for next year, but … we like to experiment every year with something.”
One of this year’s experiments was three karaoke sessions with a local band.
“The Boo Radley Project had a list of all the songs that they know, like cover songs, and … we left a basket out there so people would sign up for whichever session they wanted …” Shewen said.
Next year Shewen said he hopes to include other artists in the karaoke project.
Riverfest also offered more art installations this year in the Kitras Art Glass tent across the boardwalk, including a glass canoe from Brad Copping.
“I think we’re going to keep growing that and have like rotating art installations so we’re going to start adding that to part of our programming,” Shewen said.
Another experiment was a troupe of interpretive dancers who danced in the crowd throughout each day of the concert.
Even before this year’s Riverfest had come to a close, it was announced that Blue Rodeo would be headlining next year’s 10th anniversary edition of the festival.
“Blue Rodeo was sort of the band that decided to come and play this little festival in Elora (in 2014) and really put Riverfest on the map for us,” Shewen said.
“It solidified us as a legitimate music festival in Canada and as soon as they confirmed to play that first year you know other artists, Serena Ryder and the Bahamas and Arkells, all jumped on board as well.
“So we wanted to bring [Blue Rodeo] back for our 10th anniversary and you know everyone in the community loves them, so it’s really important for us to have them.”
As important as the artists are, Watters and Shewen both said the festival wouldn’t exist without its volunteers.
“We feel an incredible amount of warmth in our hearts for the response that the community gives us and the support that we get from everyone,” Shewen said.
“We’re down here doing clean up today and there’s just people that show up to help us … And they’re not even really on our volunteer list, they just come down and see if we need a hand and they help out for a few hours.
“That’s just a good example of Elora and the type of people that are here and it really means a lot to us to have that help and have that backup because without all of the people that pitch in, this thing it wouldn’t happen.”
