Big name bands may draw a flood of visitors to the Festival of the River on Saturday and Sunday, as the Arlington event again features two free days of music.
Quadruple platinum pop rock band Train and rising country star Jake Owen headline different nights, while each day also offers activities including pow-wows and salmon bakes.
The festival has grown rapidly in recent years. It began in 1990 as an outreach event focused on water quality, but has morphed into a community celebration hosted by the Stillaguamish Tribe. Its budget has ballooned from about $25,000 to more than $400,000, according to Pat Stevenson, who acts as festival director.
“The tribe has been prospering over the last few years,” Stevenson said. “They consider this their gift back to the community.”
Delivering that gift has involved shifting the focus from regional bands to national acts. In recent years, organizers have booked Jefferson Starship, Smash Mouth and the Gin Blossoms.
In 2008, the festival also added a night of country music. Kellie Pickler headlined one night, and 11,000 people came during the weekend, doubling the crowd from two years prior.
Organizers said this year has the potential to match that record, thanks to another strong lineup of talent.
Train, a San Francisco band that won a Grammy for its hit “Drops of Jupiter,” headlines Saturday. That night also features Colin Hay, the frontman for Men at Work, a 1980s group that scored No. 1 hits with “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under.”
On Sunday, the bill focuses on country music, with Owen headlining. The powerful baritone won top new male vocalist from the Academy of Country Music this year, shortly before his album, “Easy Does It,” debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.
James Otto also plays Sunday. Born at Fort Lewis Army Base outside Tacoma, Otto saw his sophomore album reach No. 2 on the Billboard 200, thanks in part to the crossover hit “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.”
Along with those bands, the festival features activities based on tribal traditions.
Guests can eat at a salmon bake for $10 — one of the few things you have to pay for — visit a storytelling tent, take an interpretative salmon habitat tour or shop for crafts.
And that’s putting aside one of the most popular events, the pow-wows. Each of the three pow-wows lasts about five hours, letting visitors see an American Indian celebration on either day of the festival.
“We get as many people to see the dancing and drumming as come to hear the bands,” Stevenson said.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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