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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 4, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2008 Waterfront Festival just around the corner By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T he 17th annual Oakville Waterfront Festival is just around the corner and organizers say it will be the biggest and best year yet. The event runs June 20 to 22 at Coronation Park, featuring a combination of musical performances, family activities and food. The festival is a staple of summer fun in Oakville, drawing about 100,000 people over the weekend. "The Oakville Waterfront Festival is an event that has something for everyone in Oakville, whether you are three years old or 60 years old, or older or younger," said Kirk Sloane, chair of the Oakville Waterfront Festival. "It is not just a festival that focuses on musical entertainment. There is all sorts of interactive booths and activities, community organizations are there and it is an ideal outdoor setting." A major highlight of the festival is the headlining acts. This year will feature Canadian superstars Jully Black, Hedley and Kalan Porter. Hedley takes the waterfront stage the night of Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m., with opening act The Johnstones, a ska/reggae group from Ajax. Hedley front man Jacob Hoggard was catapulted to fame after making it to the top three in the second season of Canadian Idol. Hedley released their self-titled album in 2005, which had five hit singles. The disc reached platinum status in Canada. The band has been recognized with several Juno Award nominations and also won a MuchMusic Video Award for Best Pop Video for Gunnin. "It is something that is a little new for the festival and perhaps a little edgier than we've had in the past," Sloane said. "We're bringing a band that is extremely popular right now and I hope that translates well into crowds." Jully Black will perform on the waterfront stage the evening of Saturday, June 21. The Toronto native is in demand these days, recently serving as the closing act for the Juno Awards in Calgary. Her latest album, Revival, has gained critical acclaim, winning a 2008 Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. Black has shared the stage with music greats like Bon Jovi, Josh Groban and Usher. She has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the hip hop industry and has toured with the Black Eyed Peas. Opening for Jully Black is the winner of season two of Canadian Idol, Kalan Porter. The Albertan fiddled his way into hearts of music lovers across the country, with his first single, Awake in a Dream, debuting at number 1 and going platinum eight times over. Success continued with his debut album, 219 Days, which went double platinum. His sophomore album, Wake Up Living, was released in 2007. Porter opens for Jully Black starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the waterfront stage. "We're really excited about the headlining musicians, but our openers are also strong, so I think people are really going to respond positively," said Linda Spalding, executive director of the Oakville Waterfront Festival. "We've been getting so many e-mails in particular asking us to bring Kalan Porter, so we're doing that." This year's big family act is Majinx Carnival of Wonders on Sunday, June 22, with a magic workshop and buskers from 2 to 3 p.m. and stage show from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the waterfront stage. "It is a magic show with a bit of a twist and this year there are going to be some neat aspects, like interactive juggling," Sloane said. The headlining acts are just one part of a weekend filled with activities and entertainment for the entire family. Some of the other highlights of the Oakville Waterfront Festival include a children's village, amusement park, health and wellness village, gardening sessions, dog show, science activities for kids, craft show and sale, skateboard show and much more. "The dog show is always very popular and we'll be interested to see how people react to the reptile show we're also going to have," Sloane said. For those with an appetite, there will be lots to choose from, according to organizers. There will be a beer tent and a variety of food vendors. Pancake breakfasts will also be held the mornings of June 21 and 22. And what would the Oakville Waterfront Festival be without fireworks? The popular fireworks display goes Saturday night following Jully Black's concert. "These are the best fireworks in southern Ontario," said Chris Carnovale, president of Sunveil Sunwear, which has sponsored the fireworks for the past decade. "It's the thing on Saturday night and we always try to make the show better than the year before." Parking near the festival site will be difficult to find, so organizers are encouraging people to take one of the many free shuttle buses. People can park at Sheridan College, Oakville GO station or Bronte GO station and take a shuttle bus. Gates for the 17th annual Oakville Waterfront Festival will be open Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site of the festival, Coronation Park, is located on Lakeshore Road West just east of Third Line. Pets will not be permitted in the park during hours of the festival. Advance tickets for the Oakville Waterfront Festival cost $11 per person for groups of five or more or $13 per person. Advance tickets are available at local Shoppers Drug Marts and at most Oakville banks until the end of the business day on June 19. Tickets at the gate cost $15 per person. Hundreds of volunteers are required to make the festival a success. Volunteers are still needed, including both individuals and community groups. For information, call 905-847-7975, e-mail information@oakvillefestival.com or go online to www.oakvillefestival.com. H O T T A L E N T: Headliners at this year's Waterfront Festival are among the hottest acts in Canadian music these days, with (from top) Hedley featuring frontman Jacob Hoggard, pop chanteuse Jully Black and Albertan fiddler and singer Kalan Porter.