Back in 2014, Cloggeroo set up shop and started rocking the east coast of Prince Edward Island. With five years of steady growth and increasing line-up value this festival, born and raised in the quaint, riverside village of Georgetown, continues along at full steam. Although it’s traditionally putting forth a strong Islander presence, the venue also draws great talent from across the country in a plethora of genres. From what we’ve been told it is NOT a clogging thing. Long story short; we have clogs for sale.
The weather for the 5th installment of Cloggeroo was immaculate… aside from the freak hail storm that swiftly passed over the island and leaving at least one destroyed camper in its wake. The camper could be observed being towed away while we were still just setting up our weekend home in a field lying on the outskirts of town. Otherwise, it was all sunny days full of the white fluffy clouds that you can imagine as everyday objects, and starry black canvas nights that put on a show of their own as the peak of the Perseid meteor shower neared.
Cloggeroo, in general, has a very laid-back atmosphere to it. You don’t even have to walk very far to get to the music. Shuttle services are in place to transport ticket holders from stage to campground and back again at somewhat regular intervals. If you ask nicely they may even go off the beaten path for you. If you were lucky enough to share a ride back to the campsite with the right folk, the ride came with a round of shots to ensure the party stays alive. Most of us took the bait.
Perhaps this is why they call themselves the “Island Folk Festival”. It’s the people and not necessarily the music. The local folk and the stars streaking the sky are what made for a truly magical weekend in Georgetown.
The music began promptly at 8:00pm on Friday evening at the main stage, where the crowd was ready to welcome noisy distractions from their daily lives. Upstreet Brewery supplied patrons with beverages inside the tent, while food vendors on the outside satisfied their deepest hungers.
Over the three-day event they were exposed to a variety of aural stimulus ranging from the epic rockabilly of The Hypochondriacs; to the smooth R&B of The Mellotones. From surf rockers Beach Bait doing their best to channel Dick Dale; to the funky reggae of Slowcoaster, the crowd received each onslaught with joy, and responded emphatically by kicking up a little patch of grass.
Although each day was thoroughly enjoyable on its own, Saturday evening seemed to draw more people out of their homes to enjoy the party. The crowds were not surprising, given the presence of headliners Grand Theft Bus, a band widely known for playing at festivals, but rarely seen in line-ups this summer.
Sundays at Cloggeroo are reserved to showcase Prince Edward Island musicians alone, with the festival offering up some of the best performers cultivated from red furrows. Music starts later in the day, aiming for a calm afternoon. Festival goers are given time to rest after giving it all the night before. Music plays till the early evening as guests gather themselves and their belongings (maybe their clogs,) pack them up and be on their way home.
Whether home be near or far, this event makes the trip worthwhile. To experience such a variety of music in one place is rare. The folk in these parts will make you feel at home; perhaps in a kitchen of sorts. Their taste in music is exquisite, and they know how to party. They may not wear clogs, as we expected, but they stomped hard enough to keep the grass down for the rest of the season.
It all seems very traditional. Cloggeroo is like one of those family events you would get dragged out to every year because your older sister was involved somehow. Each year you get a little more excited to come back, and seeing your best cousin is not the sole reason you’re looking forward to it.
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