After a two-year hiatus, Sarnia’s summer kick-off, Bluewater Borderfest, returned. The all-Canadian lineup featured major acts The Tea Party, Sam Roberts, Alessia Cara, Marianas Trench, Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, and Sloan, as well as some local talent.
Tickets for this year's event sold well in advance, with VIP selling out and only general admission remaining for each night. Friday’s lineup of Alessia Cara and Marianas Trench broke the record for attendance for the festival, which began in 2017.
The weather couldn’t have been better and the performances were top notch.
Both the crowd and performers were thrilled to be back to live music events like this, and performers each night showed their gratitude to the fans. Sam Roberts went down to the pit area and gave high fives and hugs to fans along the barrier. Jeff Martin of The Tea Party kept telling the crowd how long it’s been since he and his bandmates had performed together and how grateful he was to be there. Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench went wading through the crowd and performed during their set, while singer Ryland James spent considerable time after his performance signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
Sarnia seems to know how to do it right when it comes to festivals. Other than some long lines for food at the several food trucks at the back of the venue, everything seemed well organized and people were happy with the experience. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the performances were top-notch. Here’s hoping for many more festivals like this in the future. Sarnia is a model for other cities to take notice. Bravo to festival organizer and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton Executive Director Mark Perrin.
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