There’s always a great lineup of live entertainment at the annual Steveston Salmon Festival.
And this year is no different. It’s just that where the live sounds and DJ-guided music will ring out from has changed. And in keeping with the party spirit to mark Canada’s 150th birthday, an accompanying beer garden will keep the thirsty crowd going later than usual — 10 p.m.
The stage will now be located across Moncton Street opposite the Steveston Community Centre, in the parking lot now used for the summer farmers’ market.
Adjacent to the stage will be the beer garden, which will feature a nice Richmond-specific touch, since it will be run by Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks.
“They (Steveston Salmon Festival committee) came to us and we agreed to pour,” said Glen Hutton, owner and director of business development with Fuggles & Warlock, which brews their unique beers in a facility in the Ironwood area.
On tap for the Salmon Festival will be a selection of four draft beers: Destiny IPA, Pixel Pilsner, Strawberry Wit and a Takumi Sour, if available.
All will be dispensed in the beer garden that can seat 150 people at a time just adjacent to the stage, which will make it one of the most popular places to be on July 1.
“We plan on serving, probably, a couple of thousand people,” Hutton said, adding Fuggles & Warlock welcomed the opportunity to provide the beer as not only a brand awareness tool, but as a local company eager to support a traditional Richmond event that has a history of more than seven decades.
“There’s no better marketing than having people see your product on the street,” Hutton added. “Plus, this is such a great event where people come out and celebrate Canada’s birthday.
“This is sure to be an interesting venture, especially since there will not be a beer garden at the Buck and Ear this year,” Hutton said, adding the Salmon Festival’s beer garden will be in operation on July 1 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., then again on July 2 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
On the Saturday night, the main stage will come to life at noon, following the end of the Salmon Festival parade that starts at 10 a.m. That’s when the opening ceremonies and singing of Oh Canada will take place.
Salmon Festival organizers said they decided to relocate the main stage this year to provide more room on the community centre grounds for other activities.
Plus, the convoy of food trucks that will be on hand to help feed the expected large crowds will conveniently border two sides of the parking lot, making it a great place to stop off, have a bite, a beer and enjoy some great live music.
