Home »
Gillbilly Festival returns for third run
Fernie is hosting its third annual Gillbilly Festival Sept. 28-30.
Organized by the Old-Type Music Society, Gilbilly is a weekend festival involving hillbilly (bluegrass and old-time) music and the passion of the Gillies (fishermen and river keepers).
Two evening concerts feature the musical brilliance of bands like Nomad Jones, John Lowell, Paul Silveria, Clayton & Joelle Parsons. Saturday Morning is for learning, with workshops from fiddle up to bass and all stringed instruments in between.
For the fishermen and women, there are workshops and jams about fly-tying, Elk River info, and fly-casting put on by local fishermen. All programmed events take place in beautiful Fernie including local venues, heritage buildings such as The Fernie Arts Station, Heritage Library as well as along the banks of the Elk River.
What makes the Gillbilly experience even more noteworthy than a just a music festival weekend is the added perk of eating together.
The organizers plan three shared meals (included in the ticket price) to allow for all to mix, mingle and share around a community table: Friday’s mashed potato mingler, Saturday’s Taco Bar and the Sunday morning “Toast and Jam” complete with sourdough bread from the local Loaf Bakery and the line-up of mason jars of tasty assorted homemade jams.
New this year is a Friday Old-Time Dance with caller Paul Silveria as well as a sweet take-home reusable Gillbilly mug to use during and after the weekend.
Cost of the all-inclusive weekend pass which includes all of the above is $120 and can be found on Eventbrite (Gillbilly 2018) or in links on both Facebook or website.
Interested but can’t commit to the entire weekend?
There are two events open to the public: Old Time Music Jam on Saturday, Sept 29 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Fernie Heritage Library, as well as an Gillbilly Open Mic stage held at the Fernie Distillers on Saturday, Sept 29 from 3-4:30 p.m.
The Old Type Music Society would like to acknowledge the strong support of local sponsors.
Lead image:Â Paul Silviera (Dance Caller, performer and instructor for Gillbilly 2018). Photos submitted
Submitted
