One of Drumheller’s successful music events is coming back for another year and it is only weeks away.
Drumheller’s Cold Bones Fest is scheduled for February 6th through 8th at multiple venues throughout Downtown Drumheller. Joe Vickers has been part of the organizing group since the festival’s inception a couple of years ago and is pleasantly surprised on the success of the event. “This has all just been a dream concept that has developed into something greater than we ever expected. At the same time, I have realized that there is a power in music and what festivals can offer for individuals. Part of me is not overly surprised. I realize that we all need something to look forward to, especially in the dead of winter, and for us it is Cold Bones now.”
Drumheller is becoming known for music festivals with now four or five big festivals every year. It is now a music destination for so many. One of the ways that Cold Bones Fest differs from some of the other festivals is the eclectic music genres offered. “The intent is to have a little bit of music for everyone,” admits Vickers. “We’re a board of six individuals and we all love all styles of music. For us it is a lot of fun to go through the curation process and pick bands that we love, everything from hip-hop, to country, to inde rock, and everything in between. I feel like the older you get, your appreciation for music increases as well. We want to make this festival as inclusive and as approachable as possible.”
The event is an all ages event where young people get exposed to a great selection of music. Vickers shares that there will be something for all ages. “We do have a family stage that is happening midday on Saturday, February 7th. I will be performing my children’s music. Somebody said ‘Joe I think of it more as like family music as I find I’m listening to it even when the kids aren’t around’, which is a great honour. I’ve been doing these children concerts throughout the last year and I love seeing young kids experiencing a concert for the first time.”
Vickers also understands the importance of exposing music to young people in the valley. “I remember what it was like, growing up here in town, and there wasn’t a lot to do in the winter time when you’re 15, 16 years old, but music was our salvation for a number of us. We started booking community halls and putting on shows throughout the winter time. This (festival) kind of harkens back to that same spirit of doing something youthful and exciting, and having the spaces available for youth, adults, toddlers, seniors, everyone, is important for us because this is a community event and we want everybody from the community able to participate.”
This festival experience is unique from a small town perspective as we are fortunate to be able to experience music in our backyard. “It’s fun watching from this side of the curtain, bringing in bands, and seeing their response to the audience, echoing the sentiment of the articles saying Drumheller is one of the friendliest towns in the Prairies. It certainly is and we’re seeing from the music side of things and it is something we take pride in as well.”
Tickets for this year’s event are now available. You can purchase by visiting the Cold Bones Fest website. The show will be taking place at four different venues in Downtown Drumheller, all within walking distance of each other.
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