The two-week Squamish Arts Festival is back for two weeks this year with family-friendly events, shows and performances in Downtown Squamish and the newly-opened Oceanfront Park.
The festival runs until Saturday, August 17. The two-week festival features a selection of low-barrier workshops and talks, and two free festival days showcasing renowned performers from the Sea to Sky and Lower Mainland. On Saturday, August 10, from 10 am to 6 pm at Junction Park in Downtown Squamish, locals can enjoy a family-friendly day of live music, roaming performers, food trucks, an artisan market hosted by Neighbourhood Craft.
Cleveland Avenue will be closed between Victoria and Main Streets for the duration, creating a safe and inviting area for festivalgoers.
Performer highlights include Squamish dance group Menásta ti Snew̓ íyelh Texwta7 ti Smén̓hem (The beating drum of the unborn history), Whistler’s Ryan Harris, and Vancouver-based Blonde Diamond. People are encouraged to walk or bike. There will be complimentary bike parking at Stan Clarke Park.
The fourth annual Sp’akw’us Feather Shakedown takes place on Saturday, August 17, from 2 pm to 11 pm. Located at the recently opened Sp’akw’us Feather Park at Oceanfront Squamish, the event will begin with the traditional Squamish Nation Canoe Protocol, during which the Nation’s ocean-going canoes will land on Main Beach for the first time in 100 years, reviving culture and welcoming canoes back to the territory.
The latter part of the event will feature live performances from DJ Kookum, Bitterly Divine, headliners The Funk Hunters, and more. Due to extremely limited on-site parking, organizers encourage guests to walk or ride; complimentary bike parking will be available. Food vendors will be on site, ready to feed the crowds.
House of Lager, Cinco and more will provide a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. “This will be a truly memorable event, featuring local culture and tradition and world-class talent performing against Squamish’s natural dramatic landscape,” says Squamish Arts.
Squamish Arts Festival also hosts several workshops and events at locations around town over the two weeks. A free talk by artist James Harry about the creation of his monumental work of public art, “Welcome Gate,” will take place at the Brackendale Art Gallery on Tuesday, August 13 at 7 pm.
Other workshops include a shop tour and estuary walk with author and founder of Sḵwálwen Botanicals, Dr. Leigh Joseph (August 9, 1 pm – 3 pm), and two offerings with Create Makerspace: custom embroidery and laser cut jewelry.
