Sooke Music Festival Celebrates 11th Year with Free Family Day, Draws 1,000 Attendees

When the sun rose over Fred Milne Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, families flooded the grounds of the Sooke Music Festival, marking its 11th year with a free day of music, activities and community. The event, held in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia, attracted an estimated 1,000 people and showcased performances from local Vancouver Island musicians and touring acts, including Australian singer‑songwriter Kim Churchill.

The free Saturday was part of a two‑day schedule that began Friday evening with paid admission. Friday’s program drew several hundred attendees, while Saturday’s noon‑to‑10:30 p.m. lineup kept families, regular festival‑goers and evening crowds moving through the park. In addition to music, the day offered bounce castles, games and other family‑focused activities.

Founder Peter Jonassen said the festival has grown by roughly 5 % to 10 % each year since its inception in 2016. “We’re trying to be super cautious on purpose to move forward,” Jonassen told reporters. The cautious growth strategy, he explained, helps the event avoid the financial pressures that can accompany rapid expansion.

Jonassen described the festival’s origins as a discussion among friends about hosting a music event at Fred Milne Park. What began on a shoestring budget has become a volunteer‑run, community‑supported festival that attracts about 1,000 people on its full day. Dozens of volunteers help organize the event, and additional community members pitch in throughout the day.

The festival’s lineup for 2026 included a mix of regional talent and touring acts. Kim Churchill, who has released six albums under Indica Records, drew fans from across the region, including Pender Island and Vancouver, according to Jonassen. Other performers, such as Odds, Hyaenas and local acts, filled the stages from morning to night.

Planning for the next edition begins almost immediately after the current festival ends. Jonassen said organizers typically start the following year’s event the week after the current festival, beginning with dates, infrastructure and headline performers before filling out the lineup with local acts.

The festival relies on a combination of community support, government funding and corporate sponsorships to sustain its growth. Jonassen encouraged those interested in volunteering, performing or sponsoring future festivals to contact organizers through the website at sookemusicfestival.ca.

The 2026 festival’s free Saturday aligns with the event’s mission to make music accessible to families. While Friday tickets ranged from $25 to $30, Saturday was open to the public at no cost. The Chamber en Blanc lounge pass, available for purchase, offers additional amenities for attendees.

The Sooke Music Festival’s 11th year marks a milestone for a local event that has become a staple of the Vancouver Island cultural calendar. By maintaining modest growth and a volunteer‑driven model, the festival has avoided the pitfalls that can affect rapidly expanding music events. The community‑supported structure also allows the festival to remain responsive to local interests and to continue showcasing regional talent.

As the festival’s organizers move into the planning phase for 2027, the focus will remain on sustaining the event’s financial stability, expanding its reach within the limits of its growth strategy, and continuing to provide a family‑friendly environment for music lovers across the region.