Royal LePage Access Real Estate Blog

Shuswap Spirit Shines: Our Roots and Blues Weekend Recap 2025

Salmon Arm, BC, just wrapped up another spectacular edition of the beloved Roots and Blues Festival, and what an event it was! This year marked a significant milestone – 33 years of bringing incredible music and vibrant energy to our beautiful Shuswap community. From Thursday's kickoff to Sunday's final notes, the festival once again proved why it's a highlight on the Salmon Arm summer calendar.

The festivities kicked off with a bang on Thursday, July 24th, with a fantastic opening night concert held right in downtown Salmon Arm. The intersection of Hudson Ave NE and McLeod St SE transformed into an open-air venue, with the lively sounds echoing down the streets! This event was the perfect prelude to the weekend, getting everyone in the mood for the incredible music to come and showcasing the vibrant spirit of our downtown core.

With over 60 diverse musical acts gracing the stage, Roots and Blues truly lived up to its name, offering everything from soulful blues and folk to high-energy funk, world music, and more. This incredible variety wasn't just a treat for the ears; it created a melting pot of attendees, drawing in people from all walks of life. It is inspiring to see so many different groups of people, united by their love of music, coming together to share in the experience.

And come they did! While locals do embrace the festival, a significant majority of attendees journeyed from outside the Shuswap region, proving the festival's widespread appeal. This year, over 27,600 people were brought to the grounds and community from the Roots and Blues festival. This influx of visitors was a massive boon for Salmon Arm. Local businesses, from restaurants and cafes to shops and accommodations, experienced a welcome surge in sales and revenue. The festival provides invaluable promotion for our city, showcasing its charm, hospitality, and stunning natural beauty to thousands of new faces. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, cementing Roots and Blues as a vital economic driver for our community. 

Roots and Blues is a vibrant testament to the power of community, thriving almost entirely on the dedication of its extensive volunteer base. Each year, the Shuswap community rallies together with remarkable spirit, contributing countless hours to transform the fairgrounds into a magical musical oasis. From setting up stages and managing gates to serving and ensuring a clean environment, volunteers  from every corner of the community — students, retirees, local businesses, and families — work hand-in-hand. This collective effort not only makes the festival financially viable but also imbues it with a unique, homegrown charm. Toni Starkell, the Administrative Services Manager, highlighted the immense effort behind the scenes, stating, "we had an incredible team of 750 volunteers to pull it all together!"

The Roots and Blues Festival was a fantastic success for our community! Now, even though Roots and Blues is over, there are many musical, and other, events to still look forward to within our Shuswap community and on our Salmon Arm calendars! Remember to check local event listings or organizers' websites for more information on more, and other, events! Enjoy your Shuswap adventures!