A youth-led music festival is returning to Owen Sound this weekend.
Banditfest will be taking place on July 21st at the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market.
Organizer Olive Borowski says that the idea for the festival, which is in its second year, was to have a creative outlet for performers aged 13-25, where they could create freely without the pressure of school, as well as to break free from the isolation that was created during COVID.
“I grew up around music, so one thing I’ve always learned was to promote the image you want to see, and promote what you want to see through what you make,” she says. “And giving the artists a chance do that, as well as just to have a space to create freely [is important].”
Borowski, who is going into grade 11 in September, will also be performing with SWSO, “We’re kind of punky, very social-justice rooted, which I enjoy.”
She says that it was also important to give her fellow teens something to do and look forward to, because of a lack of community gathering places for teens.
She cited instances of teens dropping out of school because they felt as though they didn’t belong, as well as higher incidents involving drug use and deaths.
A total of 15 musical acts will be performing, in an event that starts at 11 am and wraps up at 10 pm.
“We have different genres that we like and all types of different people that we want there, and we’re welcoming of all types of music. We have bands that are indie, some that are punk. We have one jazz-metal fusion band which I’m really excited about.”
The event will also have food trucks and vendors. Anyone looking to volunteer, especially high school students who are looking to earn a few needed volunteer hours can also contact banditfest.os@gmail.com
Tickets are available through the United Way Bruce Grey.
For more information, you can follow Banditfest on Instagram.
