While I’ve said it before many times, it needs to be said again: Hazelton’s got talent. And it is multi-faceted coming in many forms and from people of all ages which was extremely evident at last week’s Annual Kispiox Music Festival.
There are always a few local groups mixed in with various artists from across the country and even throughout the world and this year was no exception. However, there was a unique mix of local bands and performers this year and there was some seriously great shows.
With that said, I should point out that the degree of young local talent was amazing with three youth bands performing including Non Prophet, Axes of Ego, 15 To Freedom and Blind Vinyl all on the main River Stage on Friday and Saturday evenings. The songs and calibre of music was wonderful, the stage presence was almost veteran-like and definitely crowd pleasing and the original songs that were played held great lyrics to connect to people of all ages. Eli Larson and Simon Stockner were another crowd favourite on Saturday night when they wowed the audience on the side stage.
Then there was Smithers musician Theresa Pasaulko who did not fail to deliver another great performance and of course, one of the most talked about groups of the weekend was the former Cedarvale resident, Jaron Freeman Fox and his band, The Opposite of Everything. Jaron not only had the crowded dance floor crammed with people dancing their hearts out, he came with a level of intensity and talent that wowed just about everybody. Definitely one of the highlights among the many I talked to.
Of course there were other great headliners from all over and the music from start to finish was wonderful and diverse and a great collaboration of artists. Yet, that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the countless volunteers and organizers who make this festival possible every year. Literally hundreds of people get together to make this one of the greatest festivals and the extraordinary amount of hours that go into it each year is quite mind blowing. Many people would be quite surprised to learn just how much it takes to pull a festival of this size and caliber off, and yet every year, they do.
I really believe that the groups of facilitators and organizers are also multi-talented and their hard work should be not only recognized, but applauded. From the beautiful logos, organizing musicians, bands and performers, volunteers for everything from food to garbage pick up, gates and bathroom patrol and many, many more that there is not enough room to write about. So I send out a huge thank you to all that were involved in any way, your dedication is not only truly appreciated it is what makes the Kispiox Music Festival possible.
And while this festival goer is still wowed by the past weekends experience, I am already looking forward to next year.
Shannon Hurst writes the weekly My Town and is the correspondent for the Three Rivers Report.