Music festival helps couple discover new bands

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This article was published 29/07/2019 (2319 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s almost time for baby’s first music festival.

When Jared and Beata Alonzo head to Rainbow Trout Music Festival next month, they’ll have their two-month-old son, Miguel, with them.

The Alonzos, who are dedicated volunteers at the festival, look forward to it each year.

“We get to listen to music and we get to discover new bands,” Jared says of the festival, which takes place south of St. Malo on the Roseau River. “We also get to just hang out in the water, chill and relax.”

Now in its 11th year, the event runs from Aug. 16 to 18.

The Alonzos volunteer on the rover crew, where Beata serves as the crew leader.

Rover crew members walk around the festival, ensuring that festival goers are having a safe and fun time.

The rover crew also helps sort recycling during the festival.

When asked if she has a memory from the festival that sticks out as a highlight, Beata has trouble narrowing it down to just one.

“I would just say the whole experience is pretty amazing,” says the 32-year-old, who works as a program manager at Canadian Lutheran World Relief, “from being able to meet these amazing people who volunteer their time every single year, to being exposed to these amazing, talented local bands… to being able to sit on a crazy floaty and drift down the river and meet people.

“There are just so many different experiences every time you go to the festival.”

For Jared, the chance to discover new bands is one of the things he most appreciates.

The 33-year-old, who works as the customer service manager at Thermëa spa, lists the Dirty Catfish Brass Band and the Mariachi Ghost as two of the couple’s favourite festival discoveries.

“Because Rainbow Trout takes place in such a small space and it’s such an open space, you actually get to interact with a lot of the bands, which is really cool,” Jared says.

“It’s definitely expanded our knowledge of local bands,” Beata adds.

The festival is just one of the places the Alonzos volunteer. They are also involved with Gifts of Grace, which provides a weekly Sunday breakfast and movie screening at Main Street Project, and they volunteer at Kadampa Meditation Centre.

“I started mostly volunteering when I was in university and then I just really enjoyed it,” says Beata, adding she and Jared volunteer at places that connect with their interests.

Between the Alonzos’ work and volunteer commitments as well as their new baby, Margaret Banka is glad they are returning to the festival.

Banka, who co-ordinates the festival’s volunteers, describes the Alonzos as “very present and hands-on with everything.”

“They know what they’re doing and they work really well with each other and with the other (volunteers),” Banka says. “They’re just great to work with.”

While most of the volunteer positions for this year’s event have been filled, Banka encourages people who still want to get involved to apply online.

Visit rainbowtroutmusicfestival.com/volunteers for details.

“Usually, we can find a position for everyone who applies,” she says.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.