Hoodstock aims to surpass standards

Kirk Boxleitner | Aug 10, 20230

Kirk Boxleitner/SMCJ file photo count

Festival-goers examine classic cars at the Hood Canal Summerfest & Car Show last year.

The Hoodstock Music and Arts Festival, at the Hood Canal Marina in Union on Aug. 19-20, aims to be bigger and better this year, thanks to event organizers Kelli Kohout, Meghan Maes and Shannon Crabb-Stanton.

Each has a role in staging the festival, with Kohout handling promotions, Maes coordinating vendors and managing the Union City Market, and Crabb-Stanton booking concert acts while shouldering her share of marketing.

When asked what this year's more significant upgrades are, Crabb-Stanton touted the concert's sound system, which is "way bigger" than before, enough that "they'll be able to hear us on the North Shore." Saturday's main-stage musical acts include Cascade Country, Seattle rock artist Aaron Crawford, Mason County band The Varmints and the Credence Revelation tribute band, featuring Randy Linder.

"If you're out on the water, you need to buy a flag for your vessel," Crabb-Stanton said. "That's your ticket to the show. You can catch all the acts on the marina stage for free that Saturday and Sunday, but even then, we're requesting donations for our local food banks as admission."

For those without vessels, the Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Union is taking its Lady Alderbrook yacht out for four sailings that weekend, two during the day of the festival Aug. 19, with another timed to coincide with the sunset that Saturday, and another Sunday for a "mimosa cruise" with the Tammy Frost musical trio.

Maes is pleased to present this year's crop of vendors at the market, praising Alexan Ehrich as "the brains behind our beautiful art," most notably the Hoodstock logo, while Hood Canal photographer George Stenberg will display and sell a selection from his portfolio, and designer Birdi Nagy will sell her wares as well.

"We'll even have folks from the HYOH guide group, which is named after the acronym for 'Hike Your Own Hike,' a mantra among long-distance hikers," Maes said.

Kohout credited Cody and Rachel Morris, co-owners and operators of the Potlatch Brewing Company in Hoodsport, with brewing up a second-annual signature ale in honor of Hoodstock.

Kohout cited Hoodstock's partnerships with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group's Salmon Center in Belfair, and the music programs of the North Mason and Hood Canal school districts, to encourage learning among Mason County children who have an affinity for arts and the environment.

Kohout thanked Hoodstock's many sponsors for helping sustain the event, even in the aftermath of the pandemic.

For further details on Hoodstock's sponsors, performers, vendors, schedules, two stages, admission costs, merchandise, parking, shuttles and sailing aboard the Lady Alderbrook, go to http://www.hoodstock.org.