Concert features Blue Rodeo, Matt Minglewood, nine other bands

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MIRAMICHI - The stage is set for Miramichi's maiden voyage into the provincial outdoor summer concert scene.

The first annual Miramichi Culture Fest takes over the Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Grounds in Chatham today, with 11 diverse musical acts, including headliners Blue Rodeo, aiming to put on a memorable show for music-lovers.

Concert organizer Brian Geneau said he's hoping the city will be able to host similar events for years to come, but says that his mind, at least for today, is firmly focused on the task at hand.

"We just want to make sure this is a success, that people will leave here happy and want to come back next year," he said. "We need to make sure we do the best we can and take notes for next year, because that's all we can really do."

Geneau said he's estimating a crowd of nearly 5,000 will take in the day-long event, but stopped short of releasing details on actual ticket sales thus far.

Aside from Blue Rodeo, who are slated to perform at around 9:40 p.m., other acts include Matt Minglewood, McGinty, Jean-Francois Breau, George Belliveau, George Paul and the Red Ochre Band, Squid Precision Drumming, Terry Whalen, Neon Highway, Durty Nelly's, and MooseKnuckle.

Gates open at 2 p.m. with the first act taking the stage at 3 p.m. Blankets and aluminum folding chairs are permitted on the concert site. A free water taxi between Ritchie Wharf in Newcastle and Station Wharf in Chatham will be available to ticketholders between 2 p.m.-8 p.m.

n Individual tickets are still available for $65 plus tax, at the festival office on Historic Water Street in Chatham, Bill's Kwik Way, Books Inn, and Gaby's Café; in Moncton at Reid's Newsstand locations and United Book Store.