The Five Acre Shaker in Port Alberni is quickly approaching, and organizers are getting ready to mark the event’s 10th anniversary.
This Aug. 11-12 will mark the 10th anniversary since the first incarnation of the Five Acre Shaker was hosted in the Alberni Valley. The first event, said co-founder Lance Goddard, was a memorial for local musician Zakk Coss, who passed away in a car crash in April 2014.
While the event has changed venues a few times, and has become one of Port Alberni’s signature live music and community festivals, it continues to raise money in Coss’s name through the Zattzoo Project. This year’s Five Acre Shaker will take place at the Fall Fair Grounds.
“We’re still teamed up with the Zattzoo Project,” said Goddard. “That has been the same since day one. But it’s evolved into a full weekend music festival, and a family-friendly event. That’s the vibe we’ve been wanting.”
Since 2013, Five Acre Co. has provided more than $50,000 in financial support and in-kind donations to community groups, nonprofits and fundraisers around the Alberni Valley, including the Alberni District Fall Fair, Port Alberni Toy Run and more. The company has also invested more than $30,000 in the McLean Mill National Historic Site since 2014 for site upgrades and development, leaving a lasting legacy for the community-at-large to enjoy.
At a time when so many community events are being cancelled and postponed—either due to a lack of volunteers, a lack of funding or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—Goddard says Five Acre Co. is working hard to support organizations and community groups that are helping to keep the Alberni Valley’s arts and culture scene vibrant.
“The stage production this year is going to be the best we’ve ever had,” said Goddard. “We’ve really been building up our inventory of lighting, sound and video production equipment. It’s going to be a show that Port Alberni’s never seen before, and we’ve got some fantastic artists coming in.”
The event is open to all ages, with more than just live music to entertain the family. There will be approximately 20 vendors selling food, drink and merch, a new art gallery featuring three local artists and activities throughout each day, including face painting, a themed photo booth and crafts.
The show kicks off on Friday, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. with an evening of funk, rock and alt-soul. The lineup of music includes Vancouver’s powerful ensemble Five Alarm Funk, fan-favourite Caleb Hart, Squamish Valley surf-rock sensations Surf Hat and this year’s Battle of the Bands winner Alex Fraser.
READ MORE: Victoria soloist wins Battle of the Bands in Port Alberni
On Saturday, Aug. 12, concert-goers will be treated to a night of rock, country and blues, headlined by Canadian Country Music Award winner Eric Ethridge and featuring one of country music’s rising stars, Melissa Livingstone. There will also be performances from Seattle-based country-blues outfit Brian James Was Here and Cat Madden.
The event will continue with late-night programming (19+) after each night’s headliner for an official after-party.
Goddard says Five Acre Co. has always striven to bring in a diverse lineup of music that can appeal to music fans of all kinds.
“Every year we’ve been multi-genre,” he said. “We’ve never committed to being one type of music. We want to make sure we have a full myriad of different events and genres.”
While Goddard doesn’t know yet what the future will hold for the Five Acre Shaker, he is looking forward to celebrating the event’s 10th anniversary this weekend.
“I would love to see Port Alberni support this, so the Five Acre Shaker can continue to grow and evolve,” he said. “It’s going to be a really good weekend.”
Tickets for the festival are available at www.fiveacre.ca.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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