Levee on the Lake is coming back for 2021, with plans to move the event to Lillas Fawcett Park, and partner with the Sackville Triathlon.

The Levee is planned for Thursday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, with the triathlon happening the morning of Saturday, Aug. 21.

In a presentation to town council on Feb. 1, Levee organizer Shelley Chase of the Intangible Culture and Heritage Society said the cooperation between the music event and the race would be mutually beneficial, with shared resources in safety measures around road closures. The triathlon will be able to use the Levee main stage for their awards, said Chase, and the festival could help give race-goers things to do before and after the triathlon.

“We have activities over the four days to encourage their group and viewers to stay in Sackville, not just for the race, but to enjoy our community for the whole weekend,” Chase told councillors.

At their meeting on Monday, town council approved two road closures around Lillas Fawcett Park to accommodate both events. A portion of Main Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, from Morice Drive, across the bridge, to Church Street. A second closure extends up Church Street to Folkins Drive. The closures mean anyone planning to go past the lake on Main Street where it turns into Pond Shore Road, would have to circle around, using Donald Harper Road and Four Corners Lane. Residents and businesses on McPhee Lane would be given special passes to be able to access their street from Folkins Drive, Chase told council.

While the triathlon has requested to closure for Saturday morning only, rain or shine, council also approved a possible Sunday closure for Levee on the Lake, in the event of poor weather.

Chase told council that the festival is looking into finding a parking area nearby, but that overall they plan to deter cars, as is the trend in festival planning worldwide, she said.

“We’re encouraging a green event where people are going to be cycling, paddling, using the trails,” said Chase. “This is a new, modern concept of greening festivals, encouraging people to move.”

Chase said wheelchair accessible parking will be available at the Church by the Lake, on a pre-booked basis.

The road closures will actually help make the area safer and more desirable during the event, Chase told council.

“This creates a great pedestrian area where people go from the stage, they can go to the beach, they can swim, they can access food trucks, and there’s lots of space for COVID seating. It’s green. It’s a great model to show off everything we have in that area,” said Chase. “Imagine taking your bike in, watching some music, catching the triathlon, and then having a swim.”

Chase said the Levee on the Lake hopes to recreate the Fawcett Dancehall, which used to occupy the beach site, by putting up a tent. “If we’re allowed to have a dance, we will,” said Chase. “If not, it will be a seated concert, with limited ticketed capacity.”

The tent will also feature a, “very small bar with local producers including Memramcook Scow and hopefully Bagtown Brewery, so we’re really trying to encourage and promote local," said Chase.

On Monday, town council also approved a motion to allow for a “beergarden” at Lillas Fawcett park on the Saturday or Sunday of the festival.

Chase told councillors that the festival will not hamper free access to the lake and park during the day, although contact tracing is part of the plan, in order for the festival to meet COVID-19 protocols.

Though it’s early days for releasing names of performers, Chase said the Levee is planning for a combination of workshops, free and ticketed shows. Events will be family friendly, and include different venues in Middle Sackville, as well as the main stage event, which will be similar to last year’s concerts.

Hear this story as reported on Tantramar Report: