Ticket sales for the upcoming Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival are humming along though not at the same rate they were time last year, say festival organizers.
"I think we started a little bit late and launched a little bit late with the festival this year for a variety of reasons, and weather plays a factor for an outdoor event as well," said Geraldine Parent, arts services manager for the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
With several cloudy, rainy days this month, some people may be holding off to see what the weather will be like closer to Aug. 11, the day of the outdoor festival, she noted.
"We find in the last couple of weeks, people make those decisions based on long-term forecasts. Being out in Vancouver, what that means, they're always looking for a sunny day, right?"
Chances are, festival-goers will get their wish.
In every year but one of its 12-year run, the festival has been held under warm blue skies at Deer Lake Park.
This year's headliners are folk-rock duo, the Indigo Girls.
Other international artists, as well as Canadian bands The Deep Dark Woods, The Washboard Union and No Sinner, will also take the stage for a full day of Blues and Roots bliss.
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 at Deer Lake Park is limited during the festival, therefore organizers encourage ticket holders to use alternative 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 (payparking is in effect).
Organizers also encourage anyone interested in purchasing tickets to review the guidelines on the festival website at www.burnabybluesfesti val.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.
Single tickets will be available for $75 at the gate. Children aged 12and-under get in free with an adult.
For more information and tickets, call the box office at 604-205-3000, or visit www.burnabyblues festival.com.
