Elora’s Bissell Park hosted its seventh annual Riverfest from August 14 to 16. The festival was extended to an extra day this year to accommodate its increase in popularity. No longer just a small town festival, Riverfest drew big crowds and even bigger acts, such as Metric, Tokyo Police Club, Sam Roberts Band, Shad, and Bruce Cockburn, just to name a few. The festival was well run with nonstop music, unique and tasty dining options, and a gorgeous atmosphere for all ages to enjoy.
Being so close in date and proximity to Hillside, it is difficult not to draw comparisons. Where Hillside has been a Guelph summer tradition for much longer, Riverfest is certainly a worthy competitor. Between its larger name acts and smaller venue, Riverfest encourages more of an intimate connection between festivalgoers and the music. Much like Hillside Inside, Riverfest will also host its winter music festival, Ice Jam, in March 2016.