Port Alberni’s Five Acre Shaker is taking place at the McLean Mill National Historic Site for the second year in a row.
The music festival, now in its fourth year, is offering three days of multi-genre music with bands from all over B.C. and Canada. The Shaker runs from Friday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 12.
Headlining on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 11 p.m. will be the Canadian hip-hop group Swollen Members with Madchild, Prevail and Rob the Viking. The group, hailing from Vancouver, has won four Juno Awards, five Much Music Video Awards and four Western Canada Music Awards. Other bands will include JP Maurice (seen on CTV’s “The Launch,”), WiL, Deep Sea Gypsies, Sam Klassic, Illvis Freshly, Wise Youngblood, Sirreal, My Generation (70’s Woodstock Tribute Band), The Joe Cocker Experience and many more.
The Five Acre Shaker started as a memorial for Port Alberni musician Zakkaree Coss in 2014 on a private five-acre property and has now grown into a full-scale music festival on 32 acres at McLean Mill Historic Park.
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This year, more than 40 bands will perform on two upgraded stages with larger lighting and visual shows. The Shady Acres After-Party will also be coming back for campers who want to keep the party going after 2 a.m.
The Shaker is unique as it boasts a site-wide liquor license, rather than a beer garden. There will also be more than 30 food trucks, artisan vendors and merchandise vendors throughout the site. A new wellness area will include a vast array of workshops, vendors, performances and yoga. Twin City Brewing will also be on site serving their custom-crafted Shaker Session Ale, as well as other locally brewed beer. Sunday will offer kid-friendly games, contests, performances and acts.
This year the Shaker, in conjunction with Social Root Consulting, has committed to three green initiatives to promote an eco-friendly music festival:
- The Shaker will not sell or distribute any single-use plastics. Drink pourers will either use biodegradable cups or have reusable bottles for sale or giveaway. Shaker organizers encourage festival goers to bring their own water bottles.
- Three options will be available for trash: compost, recycling and garbage.
- The Shaker also has a goal to cut down on the amount of vehicle traffic at the site.
“We’re working with the City of Port Alberni and they’ve agreed to extend a bus route out to the Shaker which is going to help in terms of individuals driving there,” said Genevieve Huneault, co-founder of Social Root Consulting. “We’re also going to be pushing alternative transportation.”
Folks are encouraged to take the Shaker shuttle, carpool or bike. A Shaker Shuttle schedule will be released soon on the Five Acre Shaker website.
Tickets are $40 for a Friday Pass (19+ only), $50 for a Saturday Pass (19+ only), $40 for an Adult Sunday Pass and $20 for a Teen Sunday Pass (ages 13-18). The event is free for children 12 and under on Sunday.
Camping passes must be purchased separate from festival tickets online. McLean Mill has newly developed powered RV sites and two new walk-in tent camping areas in a majestic forest paradise. The powered RV sites are nearly sold out but there is still room for trailers in the non-hook up sites.
For more information, visit www.fiveacre.ca