It’s a new year and that means the countdown is on to the biggest party in Rossland. Winter Carnival is Thursday, Jan. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 28 and running in conjunction over the first three days is Blizzard Music Fest — tickets to which are going fast.
For those hoping to see a bit of everything, Daniel D’Amour, chair of the Blizzard Music Fest, recommends a weekend pass. For those who only want to see a few shows, individual tickets will be more cost efficient, but better get them soon. Tickets are going fast, especially tickets for the Ice Palace, The Pack AD, and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.
The latter two shows overlap, but both include opening acts, so anyone wanting to check out both can run over to the Flying Steamshovel from the Old Fire Hall once Michael Bernard Fitzgerald finishes his set, and arrive more or less in time for The Pack AD. Shows overlap other nights as well, and the same idea applies.
Shows this year also have set end times (see schedule), at which point the venues may close. “Not necessarily every event is going to happen all night, so you kind of have to plan your night accordingly,” explains D’Amour.
The 2017 festival also presented a unique challenge.
With the Miners’ Hall still closed for renovation, this year D’Amour had to organize the event without access to Rossland’s largest indoor venue.
“It was a bit of a challenge for sure. That’s kind of our biggest indoor capacity. Like the Ice Palace has a large capacity outside, so that’s great, but we’re also dealing with lots of costs associated with putting together the Ice Palace,” explains D’Amour.
Costs include bringing in snow, building the Ice Palace, liquor licenses, ice carvers, security and port-a-potties.
“Having the Miners’ Hall not be there is tough because you don’t have the ability to bring in the big act for that room,” added D’Amour. “So it was challenging, but I think we did a good job this year finding acts that wanted to be a part of the festival and playing maybe a bit smaller rooms than they normally do.”
Weekend passes and tickets are available at the Flying Steamshovel and online at blizzardmusicfest.com/tickets.
D’Amour is also still looking for volunteers for Friday night. Anyone interested can contact him through the Blizzard Music Fest website.
Thursday, Jan. 26
The Old Fire Hall, 7-11 p.m. — Northcote with Brett Nelson and Tim Hurley
The Flying Steamshovel, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. — The Dudes with HighKicks and John Lee’s Hooker
Friday, Jan. 27
The Old Fire Hall, 7-11 p.m. — Michael Bernard Fitzgerald with Alissa Arnason
The Olaus Ice Palace, 7:45-10:30 p.m. — The Foggy Goggle Boys
The Flying Steamshovel, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. — The Pack AD with Miesha & The Spanks and Flatoutliers
Saturday, Jan. 28
Alpine Grind Coffeehouse, 6-9 p.m. —Clayton Parsons (The Good ’Ol Goats) with Brett Wildeman
The Olaus Ice Palace, 8-10:30 p.m. — Scenic Route To Alaska with guests
The Flying Steamshovel, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. — Longwalkshortdock with Casio Co-Pilot