Press Releases

NEW FOR 2008 AT SOUND OF MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 5th, 2008

Burlington, Ontario (June 5, 2008) Each year, Burlington's Sound of Music Festival adds new initiatives to keep the Festival exciting and fresh for the 190,000 annual visitors. And this year is no exception!
NEW! FESTIVAL SHUTTLE
In order to reduce gas emissions and congestion in the Downtown core, a Festival Shuttle will operate from the Burlington Fairview GO Station to the John Street bus terminal. Park for FREE and Ride the Shuttle from 6pm to Midnight on Friday, Noon to Midnight on Saturday, and Sunday from Noon to 6pm. A contribution of $2 for a round trip will help to keep this convenient and environmentally-friendly program sustainable for future years. So, Forget the Fuss and Board the Bus!
NEW! TAXI STANDS
In another step to get Festival-goers to and from the Park, there will be two Burlington Taxi stands located on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd. - one at the base of John Street and the other at the base of Brock Street.
NEW! SIMPLY GREEN PROGRAM
Annually, Festival volunteers sort over 7 tonnes of waste, diverting over half from the landfill to recycling and composting. Festival-goers are encouraged to participate in our efforts by using the proper recycling and garbage receptacles located throughout the Park. The Festival will also be using compostable beer cups (made from a corn derivative) this year, with special ‘Cup Composter' sleeves located in convenient areas where beer is served.
NEW! SUNDAY MORNING IN THE PARK
Compass Point Church is offering a FREE pancake breakfast starting at 10:30am near Bell Canada Stage. At 11:30am, the Compass Point Band will perform, along with recording artist Diane-Lee Clemons. Football Hall-of-Famer Mike "Pinball" Clemons is Guest MC.
NEW! DOWNTOWN STREETFEST
Burlington Downtown and Performing Arts Burlington have partnered to present an even more exciting Downtown Streetfest. Programming has been expanded to include performances on Sunday afternoon from Tea for the Voyage, Starlite Steelband, The Entertainers and Subourbon Street. Performances throughout the weekend on the Pine Street pod are all Performing Arts Burlington entertainers. Also new for this year, the hours for the patios along Brant Street will be extended to 12:30 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
OPEN JAM SESSION - Friday night at Burlington Hyundai Stage will be an All-Star Open JamSession offering an opportunity for guests to sing and jam with some of the area's most talented musicians. Spaces are limited so register early at the side of the stage.
NEW! VOLUNTEER CENTRE
This year, the Volunteer Centre will be located in the Park at the east side of the Burlington Street stairs, making it much easier for all 400+ Volunteers to check in, get information, or just go to have a break.
NOT NEW, BUT NEWSWORTHY!
MOVIE NIGHT - The Second Annual Festival Movie Night will once again take place on Thursday night at 9:00 pm at the west end of the Park. This year's feature presentation will be 2007 musical favourite, Hairspray, featuring John Travolta, Queen Latifa, Amanda Bynes, Nikki Blonsky and Zac Efron.
TREMENDOUS LINEUP - Once again, the Festival offers FREE music for all musical tastes and all age groups. This year's headliners are: Tomi Swick, Kim Mitchell, Matt Dusk, Robert Michaels, Serena Ryder, Silverstein, Shanneyganock, Hawksley Workman, Jason Blaine, George Fox, Emilie-Claire Barlow, John Landry, The Jim Cuddy Band, Grady, and The Arrogant Worms. Add the great opening acts, local bands, children's entertainers in the Family Zone, the sixteen Downtown Streetfest performers and you've got a great weekend of MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!
     Over four days, musicians will perform on five stages throughout Burlington's spectacular downtown and waterfront, as well as at street level among outdoor patios, vendor marketplaces and dance demonstrations at the Downtown Streetfest. Each year, the festival presents the Grande Festival Parade on Saturday morning, one of only a few existing marching band parades remaining in Canada, featuring over 20 marching bands.
     Thursday, June 12 - Sunday, June 15, 2008 will mark the Festival's 29th year of bringing "Four Fabulous Days of Music" to Spencer Smith Park, the city's beautiful waterfront park and downtown core. Through the generosity and support of sponsors and the dedication of over 400 volunteers, the event continues to be a FREE event for music lovers of all ages welcoming an estimated 190,000 visitors during 2007. For more information on this year's musical talent line up, bios and performance schedules or Festival information visit www.soundofmusic.ca or call the Festival Hotline 905-333-6364.
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Contact: Linda Goodrow, Communications Director
Phone: 905-580-4742 or email: linda@affirmative.com
OR Dave Miller, Executive Director
Phone: 905-333-6364 or email: executivedirector@soundofmusic.ca