Last Saturday, Flatbush’s usually quiet Community Association Complex was packed with campers, concert-goers and a whole mess of rock ‘n’ roll for the hamlet’s sixth annual Flatbush Rocks music festival.
Nearly 200 people from around the Flatbush area showed up to hear music from the Hip Show, a Tragically Hip tribute band and St. Albert cover band Mourning Wood.
Campers started arriving in the early hours of the morning, filling the air with the smell of barbecue and the sight of red solo cops, as the festival built to a steady crescendo throughout the afternoon.
Even the bands had to admit, as far as summer festivals go, Flatbush Rocks really is the perfect slice of Canadiana.
“There’s small town hospitality,” said Mourning Wood lead singer and guitarist Luc Riopel.
“Everyone we’ve spoken with has been absolutely friendly. Very gracious hosts. It sticks out every time we drive by.”
Volunteer Nichole Stadnyk, who has been to every festival since Trooper first played six years ago, acknowledged that the small town vibe is a big part of what keeps Flatbush Rocks so successful.
“It’s maintained a steady pace over the years and brought in different people,” she said.
Fellow volunteer Pam McBay said one had only look at the crowd around the festival grounds to see how it had become a lightning rod for the local summer community.
“The age demographics are phenomenal. We’ve get everyone here from 20 years old to almost 60 and it’s a great energy and atmosphere,” McBay said.
Maureen Schiller said that the festival’s wide demographic made it especially fun to mix and mingle, giving locals of all stripes a chance to relax in a fun and safe atmosphere.
“It’s great for adults to come out and enjoy some different music and have some adult time. It’s good for the community to bring everybody in,” Schiller said.
“Flatbush is on the map,” McBay added.
Despite having a little trouble with their map, even members of he Hip Show said that once they arrived in Flatbush it was hard to argue with the charm and appeal of the local community.
The Vancouver group were unfamiliar with the area and began to aska round for directions after arriving in Edmonton.
“We played in Edmonton last night, and nobody we spoke to knew where Flatbush was,” said singer and Gord Downie impersonator Matt Mattson
“Except the guy who told me where the hall was,” quipped Robby Baker impersonator Joe Foley.
“We love the camping festival idea. We like doing that,” Mattson said.
“I kind of wish we had a big-ass RV to hang out in,” said Foley.
Area resident Craig Cloutier said that the festival had built up a reputation locally and around Westlock County for having a dependable and friendly atmosphere.
“I’ve heard it’s always a bumping night and I’m here to have fun. I’ve always heard it’s a big turnout,” Cloutier said.
“It’s a really good deal for the amount of live music you’re getting and it’s an awesome opportunity for people to get out and explore the area.”
Event founder and Flatbush Community Association member Kandee Stadnyk said that as far as the Flatbush Community Association was concerned, this year’s festival had been a success.
Organizational issues in the past had called into question the concert’s fate, but with the creation a newly organized board dedicated managing and planning the yearly event, Stadnyk hinted that it might be some time before Flatbush Rocks hangs up its guitar strap.
“It never ceases to amaze me that every year we have such a great turnout. Everybody has a great time and it’s just the way it’s supposed to be,” Stadnyk said.
“Things are looking pretty promising.”
