Campobello Island’s Fog Festival is coming back this year for another season of art, music, and island culture.
The festival started 13 years ago, when residents of the island decided they needed extra support for the local economy, according to Fanina Alexander, a volunteer with Fog Fest.
“We have many performing artists who are coming from the Maritimes,” said Alexander. “Sea shanties, blues, jazz, rock, and so on.”
The main stage performances include local legends like the Chickahominy Mountain Band, Mike Biggar, and What The Funk.
Performances are spread all over the island, however, local musicians take the stage at restaurants, museums, and multiple other destinations.
The festival also showcases many other forms of art: from woodcarvers to painters.
“It’s a very relaxed atmosphere with good food, good music, lots of friendly people, and a lot of fun,” said Alexander.
The island has seen an increase in visitors last month when compared to previous years, which Alexander hopes will continue the trend into Fog Fest.
There were 10,000 visitors to the festival in 2022, which Alexander hopes to exceed.
The first thing that came to Alexander’s mind about what makes the festival unique was “the fog always shows up,” staying true to the festival’s real headliner.
“Once you’re on the island, you’re kind of in a different time zone,” said Alexander. “Things slow down, you relax, you enjoy the fresh air, the fishermen, the stories, and the camaraderie.”
Alexander hopes the recent global dramatics between the U.S. and Canada will not cause any disturbances to the festival, since the island is connected to both countries by an international bridge and the world’s only internationally-operated park.
“I just want to see people happy, dancing, and celebrating,” said Alexander. “It’s a very special event.”
For more information on the festival, visit their website at fogfest.org. The festival runs from July 30 to Aug. 3 and is free to the public.
