The positive reviews rolled in on social media following a wickedly successful Laketown Rock festival at Laketown Ranch, west of Lake Cowichan, over the long weekend.
The perfect weather complemented the picturesque setting as festival-goers rocked out to bands of old — some older than others — who showed they’ve still got it.
Though not ’80s bands, Matt Mays and the Sam Roberts Band were the big names on the main stage Friday night and they didn’t disappoint.
“Sam Roberts Band and Matt Mays were awesome!!! So much fun,” wrote Jerucia Cameron on the Citizen’s Facebook page.
Trooper and Loverboy took over on Saturday night, transporting a willing crowd back to the ’80s in style.
“Trooper to me was the Best!!” Cindy Williams wrote.
“Best time since the ‘80’s all the bands rocked it and it was an amazing well behaved crowd,” wrote Tina Mclaren on the Laketown Ranch Facebook page.
Honeymoon Suite and Glass Tiger wrapped things up on an epic Sunday.
“The Sunday line up was fantastic from start to finish! Glass Tiger was amazing… Fabulous!” Yvonne Van Ryk wrote.
“Amazing festival! The whole weekend was great!” wrote Lynn Wear on the Lake Cowichan Gazette’s Facebook page.
Erin Richards, Laketown Ranch’s marketing and PR manager, said they believe about 10,000 patrons went through the gates over the course of the weekend.
“That’s about 10 times the size of Sunfest’s first year,” Richards said. “We’re definitely excited about how it went. It’s just up from here.”
Many music fans are already planning their return trip.
“Fantastic three days! Looking forward to next year!,” wrote Eva Fearon.
It’s been noted multiple times that the atmosphere was relaxed and concert-goers were well-behaved.
“The biggest thing we’re most excited about was how clean everybody kept the grounds,” Richards said.
She was talking with promoter and venue owner Greg Adams about just that when all was said and done.
“The artists are wonderful and the staff and the volunteers are amazing, but for him the biggest stars of the weekend were the guests who came and then left the grounds the way they found them,” she said, adding that by lunchtime on Monday the grounds were almost completely spotless.
“That’s something that makes us even more excited about doing this again and again,” Richards said.
All signs point to a successful follow up Laketown Rock in 2018.
