Ladner Bandfest has a new home this year.
This weekend's showcase of community bands has been moved to the grounds of Delta Municipal Hall because of ongoing construction at Memorial Park, its site for the past 13 years.
"Come out to enjoy some old-fashioned concerts in the park," says Curt Jantzen, conductor of the host Delta Music Makers, "but be sure to note our new location."
Ladner Bandfest will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission charge but those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair as there is very little seating on the concourse of municipal hall.
The unique format will see two stages face each other.
While one band performs on the steps of municipal hall, another gets ready to perform on the Delta Showstage on the municipal hall concourse. Audience members simply swivel their lawn chairs to face the appropriate stage as the bands alternate between the venues.
This year's event features 18 adult community concert bands from all over the Lower Mainland plus two from Washington state. The audience will hear 40-minute performances by concert bands from Delta, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Langley, Surrey, Port Moody, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Abbottsford, Seattle and Victoria. New this year is the Cascadia Wind Ensemble from the Fraser Valley.
"We are honoured to feature the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, who will close the show starting at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday," says Jantzen. "This outstanding group is one of the few remaining full-time military bands in Canada, and a big crowd is expected late Sunday."
The Ladner Bandfest is not only hosted by the Delta Music Makers, but is organized by a volunteer committee from that community band and run by an army of volunteers from the band and the wider community.
The TOOBs will provide food services throughout the weekend, featuring their famous curly fries.
