Music fest key to attracting more visitors to Asessippi

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2011 (5411 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The winter months will always be front and centre but the sales team at Asessippi Ski Area and Resort has visions for the popular winter destination that stretch year round.

Summer activities like river tubing, hiking and biking trails, kayaking and Eurobungy have been introduced gradually over Asessippi’s 11-year run. And now, with its first music festival — the Subway Asessippi Folk n’ Fest — set for Aug. 27, marketing director Roz Pulo says the groundwork is being laid for the area to make a name for itself as a four-season destination.

"We’re definitely always looking at what we can introduce and what works the best for the site. Since the cottage development was brought in, we want to make sure there is year-round entertainment," Pulo said. "Those are all vacation properties that people want to utilize for all four seasons and we want to be part of that. When you add in the number of cottage-goers, it’s an entire new town who are all there for a good time."

Starting small with a one-day music festival seemed like a natural progression into what Pulo says is part of a long-term "master plan" for the resort. Although specifics weren’t disclosed, expanding the Folk n’ Fest to a full weekend event complete with camping and a variety of music genres is among the first, short-term goals.

"It just has to be the right timing and the right staff to get everything in that we want to do," she said. "We have to stay focused on our winter because that’s our No. 1 draw, but we want to be able to expand and create more excitement for the area."

The brains behind the Folk n’ Fest, Blue Moffat, says celebrating the geographical gem 365 days a year is important to not only cottage owners, but to the local economy as well.

"We have so many people who come out to the ski hill in the winter; it’s a Mecca of tourists," she said. "We want to invite them back in the summer. The people going to the ski hill know it’s a great place but maybe they haven’t had a reason to come back when there isn’t snow on the ground … and we’d love more people to realize what a beautiful and fun area it is to be in the summer as well."

The gates to the first annual Folk n’ Fest open at 3 p.m. at Asessippi Ski Area and Resort.

The kid-friendly day features performances by four Canadian bands — Swamp Gas, Fish and Bird, Tailwind and Stonypoint Trio — a farmers market and artisans market, face painting and entertainers for the kids and beer gardens for mom and dad.

Advance tickets are $25 each, while youth (ages 6-17) are $15; both of which include a personal pan pizza or six-inch submarine sandwich.

The show will go on rain or shine.