There are just two weeks left to get tickets and pack your coolers.
The ever-popular Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival is set for Saturday, Aug. 11 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Headlining the show are the Indigo Girls, the American folk duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers.
The lineup also includes blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughn, older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn; Mamadu and Mariam, a duo from Mali; American blues/ jazz artist Kelly Joe Phelps; singer/songwriter, rapper and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello; as well as Canadian bands The Deep Dark Woods, the Washboard Union and No Sinner.
Besides the variety of musical talent on stage, the festival also features artisan displays, food vendors, and a kids' arts activity zone from 3: 30 to 7: 30 p.m. for the youngest members of the crowd.
Organizers are expecting about 5,000 people at this year's event. With so many people in attendance, organizers have upgraded regulations for this year to make sure the atmosphere is as enjoyable and fun as possible for everyone involved.
New for this year is the maximum size of coolers, at 56 cm long, 38 cm high, and 38 cm wide.
Also new for this year, no chairs with seats higher than eight inches will be allowed.
Deer Lake Park has general admission lawn seating with no reserved seats.
Gates open at 12: 30 p.m., and the show starts at 2 p.m. The west gate closes at 6 p.m., and the main gate closes at 9 p.m.
Parking near Deer Lake Park is limited during the festival, therefore organizers encourage ticket holders to use alternate modes of transportation such as taxis, carpools, bicycles and public transit.
There are bike racks on site, and there is a free shuttle bus service available from the BCIT campus (pay-parking in effect).
Organizers also encourage anyone interested in purchasing tickets to review the guidelines on the festival website: www. burnabybluesfestival.com.
The Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival is produced by the City of Burnaby and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Advance single tickets are $70, and a pack of four is $200. On the day of the festival, single tickets will be available for $75. Children aged 12-and-under get in free with an adult.
For more information and tickets, call the box office at 604-205-3000, or visit www.burnabybluesfe stival.com.
BLUES AND ROOTS
What: The annual Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival is estimated to draw about 5,000 people.
When: Aug. 11, from 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Deer Lake in Burnaby; see www. burnabybluesfestival. com for information on parking and shuttles.
