Sappyfest is turning 20.
“It’s a huge milestone to get to 20 years of a pretty small festival in a really small town,” say longtime volunteer and board member Amy Siegel.
“I think it’s a testament to this town, to this artistic community, and to the greater region that we’re able to support such an amazing event,” says Siegel.
The 20th edition of Sappyfest kicks off on August 1, and the organization is still recruiting volunteers to help the festival run smoothly. Siegel says there are “two big asks” of the community: volunteering for the actual festival, and billeting visiting artists.
“One way that we can really put more money towards artists is by having artists stay in people’s homes,” says Siegel. “It’s a really fun way to meet the people who are coming to the festival,” she says, and it comes with a free festival pass.
Festival volunteers help out during the three-day festival in various crews such as bar, box office, band food, doors, merchandise, recycling, transportation, site set-up, safety squad, and more. Youth volunteers are welcomed with signed parental forms.
Sackville resident Natalie Donaher has been volunteering at Sappyfest since around 2011 or 2012, and working in the kitchen crew, selling artist merchandise, and even serving a stint as treasurer for the organization. This year, she heads up the merchandise crew.
Donaher says part of the reason she keeps coming back is economics: volunteering at festivals is a great way to save paying out of pocket for tickets and passes. The other aspect that keeps her coming back is the volunteer experience. “It is a satisfying way to contribute,” says Donaher. “I like working alongside people to complete a shared goal, so that’s one of the reasons I keep volunteering.”
“I don’t play music, I don’t write poetry, I don’t make art. My contribution, I feel, is often the logistical stuff,” says Donaher. “Volunteering my time is one way to support what is a loftier goal of community support of art and the arts.”
More partnerships in year 20
The lineup for Sappyfest 20 features artists such as Alan Syliboy, Julianna Riolino, Jah’Mila, folk duo Mama’s Broke, Canadian Japanese psych rock bank TEKE::TEKE, and Julie Doiron, who will be joined by some longtime collaborators on the Sappy stage. Siegel says there’s enough new artists to feel forward looking, while also enough familiar faces to feel like a reunion.
The festival also has “increased the capacity of partnerships” this year, says Siegel. Mount Allison’s Ralph Pickard Bell Library will host concerts, and “for the first time ever, we’re going to have a giant puppet parade that will be marching through town,” says Siegel.
The giant white tent will be back to create the Bridge Street main stage, and shows and events will also take place at the Sackville Legion, Ducky’s Pub, the Owens Art Gallery, and Bill Johnstone Memorial Park.
A kids’ rock camp takes place the week before the festival, culminating in the Kids Corner Power Jam as one of the first performances on Friday, August 1. And North Barn Theatre is hosting puppeteer workshops on July 29, 30, and 31 to prepare for a Swamp Life Parade on August 2.
“We’re really excited about all the ways that there’s direct participation in this year’s festival,” says Siegel. “So do take advantage of that Sackville, we would love to have you.”
More information about artists, passes and volunteer opportunities is available at sappyfest.com.
