The Province is investing $150,000 in the Rockin’ River Music Fest to help welcome country music fans from around the globe to British Columbia, announced Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola, on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

The festival will bring over 29,000 country music fans to Merritt over a four-day period, Aug. 3-6, 2017. This year’s lineup includes Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, The Band Perry and Kasey Musgraves.

With 90% of the attendees from outside the Nicola Valley, the music festival is expected to generate $3 million in economic activity to the community and surrounding area.

The Tourism Events Program supports events that raise awareness nationally and internationally of British Columbia’s tourism experiences and motivate Canadians and people from other countries to travel and experience British Columbia. These events also generate tourism and economic activity in communities and regions throughout the province.

Quotes:

Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola –

“The Rockin’ River Music Fest will shine an international spotlight on our community, showing why Merritt is the Country Capital of Canada. The local impact of this event is significant with roughly 80 per cent of the people hired for the event coming from in Merritt. These types of provincial investment help build our community, draw visitors and create local jobs.”

Kenny Hess, president and CEO, Rockin’ River Music Fest –

“Merritt is the country music capital of Canada and the perfect place to host the Rockin’ River Music Festival! Over the years, the festival stage has been graced by a number of world-class entertainers and the 2017 line-up promises to be the best yet. Our goal is to bring the best of country music to the very best fans in the world. The entire ownership group, management and staff at the Rockin’ River Music Fest are so thankful to have received this incredible support from the Province of British Columbia and Destination BC.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $98 million annually in the tourism industry across every region to grow and market the sector.
• In January 2017, there were 23,427 more visitors to the province over the same month in 2016 - a 9.2% increase.
• In 2016, 5.5 million international visitors came to B.C. - a 12.3% increase compared to 2015.
• In 2015, the tourism industry generated $15.7 billion in revenue with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.4 billion.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/tourism/

Rockin’ River Music Festival: http://rockinriverfest.com/

Tourism Events Program: http://www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx