Posted
The Shaker That Goes for Acres
Posted:
Doc Pow for #ExplorePortAlberni
We all know when something is done right. You have that sense of contentment, and, in some cases, a feeling that you were a part of something pretty magical. Such is the case with the now five-year running Five Acre Shaker, a music festival with the best intentions as described by writer and photographer Chris Istace, the Mindful Explorer. His life’s work is curating and connecting with communities to tell stories that help elevate your festival and travel experiences.
Last year, FestivalSeekers sent Istace to check out Port Alberni’s Five Acre Shaker. He captured a ton of impressive images from the festival. To help tell the festival’s story, I asked him to send me his top three images.
Tickets for the Aug. 9th to 11th event, happening in the heart of Vancouver Island, are on sale now. You can buy them here. All profits made from the event go to the Zattzoo Project, supporting Alberni Valley youth who are into making music.
Dinosaurs and fairy princesses
“In this picture you can see the kids were having a blast with their parents, and this speaks to the positive family environment that the Shaker is about. As a parent myself, I think the festival organizers do a great job of selecting music during the day that works for families, creating a great experience, and a safe experience for everyone.”
Photo:
Chris Istace
Parents take note: Five Acre ticket pricing offers many options, including free admission for kids 12 and under, as long as there is a ticketed guardian along with them.
Sustainable first
Photo:
Chris Istace
“This is a resourced-based community where they are working to ensure their future,” says Istace. “The community’s roots are in being sustainable, and now it’s looking to diversify itself into a green future. Evidence of this is coming from Port Alberni’s new mayor and the support going towards grassroots organizations and events like this.”
You’ll see the sustainable initiative, right from the time of your ticket order where you can pre-order a metal stainless steel cup that makes for an excellent souvenir. No worries, if you don’t want to spend the $5, you can have the one-off cup, also made from sustainable materials.
Major headliners, major good vibes
“We had been waiting for the 2018 headliner to hit the stage (Swollen Members), and sure it was raining a little bit, but the energy from the crowd was not fazed in the slightest. (There was) so much excitement within the festival that weather wasn’t even a factor,” says Istace. “The whole vibe of the Shaker experience was positive; everywhere you went was positive energy. I think it comes from the foundation of the event because this started as a memorial in 2014 for Zakkaree Coss on a private five‐acre property.
Photo:
Chris Istace
The event is coming from a good place and not one that is about profit and money, translating into a positive vibe across the whole grounds,” says Istace.
2019’s headliners include Said the Whale, Harlequin and Daniel Wesley. Go here for the full line-up
Photo:
Chris Istace
When you go
The Five Acre Shaker happens Aug. 9 to 11, 2019, on the grounds of the McLean Mill Historic Park. You can buy a weekend camping pass and stay right on the grounds. Keep in mind the west coast of Vancouver Island is about an hour and a half away, so you can catch some waves by day and tunes by night.
If you’re not a camper, don’t stress. The folks at Alberni Valley Tourism have you covered with tons of hotel accommodation options found here.
Sure, it’s a weekend event, but why not make it a week? As we’ve discovered over the past year working with the #ExplorePortAlberni campaign, making your way into the heart of Vancouver Island opens many adventure doors. Get inspired and start exploring.
Share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #ExplorePortAlberni. @ZenSeekers can help with your discovery options by checking out our expedition page dedicated to the destination.
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