ROCHE PERCEE — Some of Saskatchewan’s most well-known musicians converged on the Roche Percee Park on Aug. 23 for the second annual Coal Creek Festival.
“We had just an amazing lineup of entertainment throughout the entire day, and it was just good music, right from the start of the festival, right to the end with the Steadies,” said event spokesperson Robert Godfrey in an interview with SaskToday.
The music started shortly after the gates opened with a performance by Porphyrious, comprised of father-and-son duo Daniel and Mavrik Espelien. From there, a variety of performers took to the stage, including Jeffrey Straker, Teagan Littlechief, JJ Voss, Karissa Hoffart, Long Live the Glory, Munro and Patrick, Lisa Moen and closing act The Steadies.
“We really wanted to put together a festival that showcased some amazing Saskatchewan talent, but we also wanted to put together a festival that left people leaving and thinking that this was the best entertainment they could find the whole summer,” said Godfrey. “That is exactly what ended up happening. Our entertainers just did such an amazing job, and we knew going into the festival that it was going to be good, but actually being there and getting to hear the music all day was such an amazing thing.”
Munro and Patrick was the lone returning act from 2024. Godfrey noted Heidi Munro was the artist liaison and hospitality co-ordinator for the day, serving as the go-between the festival organizers and the performers.
“It is incredible the level of talent from performers that we have from Saskatchewan,” said Godfrey.
Several of this year’s acts were from the southeast, while others are well-known to the region’s music fans.
The final attendance figure was not immediately available, but Godfrey said they had a few hundred people out.
The festival also had food and beverage vendors, and a kids’ zone with bouncy castles and more.
This year's festival was in a new location as well. Last year it was held adjacent to the Bienfait Memorial Arena and the Bienfait Curling Club. Godfrey said the new site meant they had to work extra time to get the site prepared, but it worked out well.
“The location was absolutely beautiful at the Roche Percee campground, and we just had so many compliments from performers and guests of the festival, just saying how beautiful the location was, right in the valley, and with all the rain that the area has received this year, everything was beautiful and green. The trees looked great. The grounds were beautifully prepared and it worked incredibly well.”
Godfrey predicted it would be a great site for the festival for years to come.
The festival was created by the Southeast Saskatchewan Economic Partnership, and the park came on as a partner this year. The idea behind it is to create a tourist attraction in the southeast, and to bring attention to some of the great attractions that exist in the area, including the pierced rock formations, the campground and more.
Godfrey thanked the festival’s supporters, including sponsors, donors and others who helped make the event possible. He also thanked the volunteers who kept the event running, and those who came out to enjoy the day.
“It was so much fun and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”
