In 1983, a small group of friends decided their town needed a music festival. They were a group of thirty-somethings that, according to Marian Rose, thought of the idea almost at the same time.

"I had been to festivals in the South [of British Columbia] and I just loved the whole folk festival scene" said Rose. "And there was a bluegrass night at Driftwood Hall [in Smithers, BC]. I came home that night and I thought, 'this valley needs a festival. I wonder who could help me organize it' and I thought 'Kevin Widen could do that' and I picked up the phone to phone him and his line was busy and he was phoning me with the same idea."

Marian Rose grew up in the Bulkley Valley and was one of the founding members of the Bulkley Valley Folk Music Society, the not-for-profit society that operates the Midsummer Music Festival.

This summer, Midsummer (as it is colloquially known) is celebrating 40 years of music in the Bulkley Valley. It is a 100% volunteer-run festival with bands and musicians from Smithers, the Skeena Region, the province, and beyond.

The theme this year is "family reunion" as Marian and the performers committee have invited bands and artists who grew up in the valley to return for Midsummer.

Headliners include Kym Gouchie, Killing In The Name, Mark Perry, and grammy-winner Alex Cuba. The festival is held at the Bulkley Valley Fairgrounds and the gates open on Friday, June 30th. Camping is available and campfire jams are encouraged.

Listen to Marian Rose on CICK News in the link below.