Summer is all about having fun and enjoying good music.
That is also the focus of Summerfest, the city's long running music festival held at Bell Park the weekend Aug. 21 to 24. Over 15,000 people usually attend.
Summerfest held its first concert in 1998 and celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2007. For the first time, last year it became a four day festival, operating a youth night on the Thursday.
Volunteers made Summerfest happen, said Elaina Groves, president of the board of Summerfest, speaking at a city priorities committee meeting in June. She estimated that over 6,000 hours of volunteer work is given annually.
"We have about 200 during the festival and about two dozen through the year."
Local restaurants help out by donating lunches and dinners for volunteers during set-up and take-down.
The event helps local bands get known. Most of the bands are local, making the festival the largest venue for emerging bands.
"We had 47 local bands last year. That encompasses 160 local musicians. In all, with the headliners, there were over 200 musicians at the park," she said.
"We had 10 headliners from out of town-Sloan, Trooper, Helix, and David Wilcox for example last year."
This year's ticket prices are not yet set.
"I can say we have a day pass, $7 for the day. Concert tickets can vary depending on the line-up. A weekend pass can go for $75 for the four days," said Groves.
The focus on Thursday is youth. College students flock to the Friday night entertainment. Classic rock is the mainstay Saturday night on a double stage and Sunday is mostly blues, she said.
During the day there are assorted acts, from juggling to dancers to comedy as well as musical and children's acts.
Though Groves did not know how many of the attendees came from out of town, she did say their various hotel partners over the years said Summerfest helps to fill up their rooms for that weekend.
For more information visit www.sudburysummerfest.org , phone 523-2003 or visit 555 Barry Downe Road.
