Although summer is a few months away, already country music festivals in Ontario have firmed up their artist line-ups for the 2013 summer season. It’s always good to plan ahead and if you order your tickets now, you’ll benefit from early bird ticket pricing.
Boots and Hearts Festival 2013
It’s worth the drive to Bowmanville, just 62 kilometres east of Toronto, if you’re a country music fan. The Boots and Hearts Festival, taking place on the Civic Holiday Weekend, August 2-4, 2013, features Miranda Lambert (wife of The Voice‘s Blake Shelton), Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean, Dean Brody, Aaron Lewis, Joe Diffie, Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine, Colt Ford, High Valley, Kira Isabella, The Stellas, Parmalee and Dee Jay Silver. General admission tickets for the 3-day event are $229.99; after April 2, 2013, $269.99 and after July 4, 2013, $304.99. Kids 12 and under are Free with a paying adult. Single day general admission tickets are $114.99. RV camping, day parking, premium camping and quiet and family and camping is available from July 31 to August 4, 2013.
Mariposa Folk Festival
Experience the mood of the freedom-loving, psychedelic 60s as folk music icon Arlo Guthrie headlines the Mariposa Folk Festival taking place July 5, 6 and 7, 2013 at Tudhope Park in Orillia. Other artists performing at Mariposa this year are Murray McLachlan, Lennie Gallant and the MacKenzie Blues Band. Camping is available at the festival, as well as craft-making, painting, rughooking, a drum circle and ukuklele workshops. In between music sets, you can swim at two beaches on Lake Couchiching, located just outside the gate or go walking along the Gordon Lightfoot Trail in Tudhope Park. Food available on site includes burgers, pizza, vegetarian itms, Indian cuisine and Jamaican food. Free Wi-Fi is available during the festival. Early bird tickets are Weekend Pass (25+) $100, Weekend Pass (19-24) $59, Weekend Pass (13-18) $15, Friday Evening Pass $40, Saturday Pass $75, Sunday Pass $75 and Children 12 and under Free.
Havelock Country Jamboree 2013
The 24th annual Havelock Country Jamboree, which takes place August 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2013, has a stellar line-up. Reba McIntyre headlines the four-day festival, which also features Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt, Kathy Mattea, Gord Bamford, Josh Thompson, Dallas Smith, Bobby Bare, BR5-49, JT Hodges, Ambush and Colt Harley performing on twin stages. Tickets are Adult Weekend (Early Bird) $235, gate $300; Youth Weekend (Early Bird) $130, gate $180; Children Free. One day ticket (Early Bird) $115, gate $150. Reserved camping packages available for $610 (early bird) and $740 (at the gate) for two adults, entry to the jamboree and camping from Fri., Aug. 9 plus six extra nights camping). Single campsite (must buy one adult weekend ticket) is $145 (early bird) and $160 (gate).
