Arts and Music makes a comeback

“The Point Roberts Arts and Music Festival is back on the water,” says Arts Foundation founder and festival organizer Craig Jacks.

After being put on the shelf for a year, the festival will be back for its 23rd year, running three weekends in August.

Kiniski’s Reef Tavern is partnering with the foundation, offering a location, planning assistance and funds for this year’s event. “We decided to make it longer so more people can enjoy it,” said tavern manager Allison Calder. The first weekend will be on August 4 and 5, and the festival will continue for two more Saturdays, August 11 and 18.

The roster will include familiar offerings and some new highlights.

Dance will include Los Gitanos flamenco dancers, Eire Born Irish dance troupe and the Rahma Dancers Mediterranean and belly dancers. Jacks said to expect a tap troupe this year.

The musical roster is still being put together but Jacks said local professionals and musicians who got their start on the Point will be featured such as his truly, Craig Jacks and the Jackalopes, Shaune Ann Feuz, Steve Furno, Kelly O’Neill, Bocephus King and others. This year the Heritage Ukulele Ensemble with ukelele players from all over the lower mainland will be a festival headliner.

Calder and Jacks said they had made changes to increase participation from festival-goers, vendors and performers.

With more days, Jacks said they will be able to have more performers at times when more people can come and see them. Mornings have seen lower attendance so performances will be focused on afternoon and early evening hours. “We want more people to be able to enjoy it,” Calder said.

Vendors will be invited to set up in the parking lot outside the patio and participation will be free and unjuried. “We’re calling it the art of anything,” Jacks said.

Several local businesses and artisans are already signed up and Calder said she is taking reservations.

Food will be available in the Reef but concessions are welcome in the vendor area to increase offerings.

The Reef’s iconic annual cardboard boat races will also be part of the festival on Saturday, August 18. An art form all their own, boats can only be made from cardboard and duct tape. Other family fun events being considered as part of the mix are a dog show and a classic car show.

Jacks said donations from local businesses such as Nielson’s Building Center, Valero and TSB Shipping, as well as artists performing for free or for limited fees made the event possible. “Everybody’s kicking in and that’s how it’s always been,” he said.

For more information, to donate or to sign up as a vendor contact Calder at 360/907-5982 or Jacks at 360/945-3492.