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EDITORIAL: Full-time job to keep up with fun in Valley of Festivals

The lack of a Big Time Out 2013 is a shame, but the Valley of Festivals rolls on.

The lack of a Big Time Out 2013 is a shame, but the Valley of Festivals rolls on.

Vancouver Island Music Festival was another artistic success.

In an effort to expand offerings to their music-hungry clientele in a venue they stretch to the max each July, organizers ran music late this year in The Barn.

One of VIMF’s six stages, The Barn went to 9 p.m. on all three days, allowing Doug Cox to program some loud acts there and not worry about the sound “bleeding” to other stages.

Besides sensational (and loud) performances by the likes of the 24th Street Wailers and Blitz the Ambassador, The Barn hosted musical theatre for the first time. Jackie Richardson and band held audiences spellbound with the tale of early blues shouter Big Mama Thornton.

Selling out for the second straight time, MusicFest did alright financially, too, in spite of being frustrated by a lack of municipal government funding.

This weekend continues the excitement with the Filberg Festival, Nautical Days and a new creation Friday evening in Cumberland by Big Time Out guru Vig Schulman called Rock the Block.

The BC Day weekend, though, is dominated by happenings in Comox, which stages its two biggest events simultaneously.

The Filberg Festival will feature its usual gifted artisans, satisfying food, gorgeous setting and likely the usual balmy weather.

As well, this is Bobbie Blue’s last year as Filberg entertainment director and she promises the best musical lineup she has ever delivered.

Nearby Nautical Days has added things like the Naden Band to a fun-filled lineup that just might be even more entertaining this year.

The I-Hos Gallery is getting into the act with its first Night Market on what is now known as Festival Weekend in Comox.

VIMF presents guitarist Pete Anderson on Friday at the Cumberland Hotel and there's cowboy action shooting at Comox Lake.

In the Valley of Festivals, you have to work hard to keep up with all the fun.

editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com