Vancouver Island Music Fest is determined to proceed this summer, despite other festivals in the Lower Mainland cancelling their plans. (submitted photo/Megan Gibson)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

go for launch

Booming early ticket sales boost 2023 VI Music Fest’s plans

Jan 25, 2023 | 4:23 PM

NANAIMO — With other festivals dropping off the summer events calendar, preparations continue for the 2022 Vancouver Island Music Fest.

Organizers of the annual festival held in the Comox Valley say they’re a go for another year thanks in large part to strong early ticket sales and key community support.

Sue Wood, one of the members from the organizing society, said demand for live music and entertainment is high.

“Compared to last year, our Christmas in July ticket sales took nearly a month to sell…and we saw our pre-sale event, that ticket allotment was done in 48 to 72 hours this year.”

It’s a huge sigh of relief given the current economic state of the events-planning world.

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The Vancouver Folk Music Festival announced in mid-January they were not proceeding but a community-led group is trying to salvage the event.

Also struggling is the Squamish Constellation Festival, which indicated without a cash injection they will also not produce an event in 2023.

Wood said they’re in a bit of a different position and have been able to rely on a smaller community which appears more invested in the success of the event.

“Not that every festival on the planet isn’t struggling to come back after the pandemic, but some of us are very lucky to live and work in an environment that is incredibly supportive and a community that is 100 per cent behind you.”

Wood added ticket prices are remaining on par with 2022. An early bird weekend pass for the July 14-16 event costs $220.

The consistent pricing was a goal of the non-profit society.

“We want to make sure Vancouver Island Music Fest and festivals like us survive only because of the support from the community and we have that in spades,” Wood said.

Organizers are “on the cusp” of beginning to announce 2023’s music lineup and expect the first of many announcements to come by month’s end.

More information on the festival is available on their website.

–with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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