Robert Hunt Photography

1000 Islands Music Festival – Day 3 – Aug 15 2009

August 22nd, 2009 |

1000 Islands Music Festival - Day 3 -Featuring Snoop Dogg, Akon, Kardinal Offishall, The Arkells, illScarlett, Hello Beautiful, The Joys, Ten Second Epic, My Favourite Tragedy,Pilot Speed,Amanda Rheaume

Snoop Dogg, Kardinal Offishall, Akon, The Arkells, The Free Press, Pilot Speed, Hello Beautiful, Ten Second Epic, The Joys and illScarlett rounded out the 1000 Islands Music Festival, but still couldn’t draw in the crowd that the festival organizers, the vendors, and the entire Gananoque community were hoping for. Word spreading quickly in the morning, about Saturday sellouts, that were obviously miscommunicated, however that seemed to be all everyone was talking about.

Throughout the day the crowd seemed to grow, and when Snoop Dogg hit the stage, there were roughly 2500 fans inside the gates. Snoop Dogg apparently had a plane to catch, and the schedule was slightly changed as The Joys were called on to play an early set on the Side Stage, and Snoop Dogg technically opened for Akon. None the difference to the fans, as most enjoyed every second of the entire festival. After it was all said and done, the well behaved crowd, cheered in appreciation as they left the Dingham Farm.

The Temperature at points throughout the day climbed as high as 35 degrees. Hungry, de-hydrated, and feeling the initial signs of heat stroke, kept me hiding in whatever shade I could find. Running into the photo pit for the first 3 songs, and then desperately looking for shade and water seemed to be my system for the day. Again shooting with my 70-200 f/2.8 during the sets proved to be the smartest way to go. When Kardinal Offishall, Snoop Dogg, and Akon hit the stage their was almost no room in the photo pit, as photographers, journalists, and other media crammed togather to get their photos, and stories.

All in all this festival was one of a kind, and drew the attention of media from all over North America. Unfortunately, the attendance was poor, which has fans speculating that this festival will not happen again in the coming years, however 1000 Islands Music Festival organizers have reported that they are in this for the long haul. I’m looking forward to see the changes and the line-ups that come in the next few years.