Here we go again!

The 2012 Wapiti Music Festival is buzzing! Currently deep in the planning stages, committee members are sifting through band applications, applying for permits and at times pulling hair all to prepare for Fernie’s second annual music festival. The highly successfully 2011 Wapiti Music Festival went from completely unknown to winning ‘Fernie’s Social Event of the Year.’ Wapiti gained a faithful following of locals and many welcomed visitors giving 2012 serious momentum.

Focusing on new Canadian indie music, Wapiti is keeping things fresh yet quaint and cozy tucked down in Annex Park. The 2012 band lineup includes rockers The British Columbians, crowd rocking’ The Zolas, the up and coming The Belle Game …plus more! Rock beside your best friends, dance beside your neighbors, Wapiti is about celebrating Canadian music with the humble folk of the Elk Valley.

“I think the appeal of Wapiti is that we are not this huge commercial operation; we are pretty grassroots. The bands you are discovering here will be the next Arcade Fires, how cool is that! It’s like this ultimate party in our backyard, the whole town is rocking out, volunteering and even on the stage, plus the music itself is insanely good,” says Matt Brazeau of the organizing committee.

Wapiti launches its 2012 website and ticket sales Sunday March 4 at 10 a.m. Blowing minds everywhere, the first 200 weekend pass tickets are being released at a mere $30 early bird price. Regular advance weekend passes run $45. Day pricing is available.

The Wapiti Music Festival runs two days, Friday August 10 and Saturday the 11th. Plan to join the kickoff Friday evening and dance into the night, and return Saturday for a full day and night of entertainment. Expect to rock, expect to dance, expect the unexpected.