Wicked Woods is a three-day arts and electronic music festival located in the Columbia Valley just outside Fairmont, British Columbia. Now in its 15th year, the festival takes place between August 30 and September 1, 2024, and features well over 100 of the best performers of the West Coast Music and Arts community. BC Creates interviewed festival management to get an insight into the festival, its origins, values, initiatives, and the many exciting things to look forward to in this year’s edition!
What inspired the creation of Wicked Woods? How has the festival evolved over the years?
Wicked Woods started in 2008 as a small one-night party with fifty attendees, driven by the desire to create a memorable and fun experience. The positive reception led to its annual recurrence, growing in organization and creativity with each year. By its sixth year, the event had expanded to two nights, incorporating local talent, vendors, workshops, and multiple stages.
After moving around various crown lands, Wicked Woods found a more permanent home on private land from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, the festival relocated to the Raven’s Nest Resort and Campground near Fairmont Hot Springs, offering 144 acres of breathtaking mountain scenery and panoramic views of the Columbia Valley. This new location allowed for four music stages, art installations, holistic workshops, and a stronger sense of community and transformation.
In 2021, Wicked Woods restructured under the WW Music and Art Society, a B.C.-based non-profit organization, reflecting its growth to over 3000 attendees and 500 staff and volunteers. The festival is now managed by an experienced team with deep roots in the West Coast festival scene, continuously enhancing its operations and community spirit.
Photo Credit: Greg Rogers @greg.rogers.photography
Wicked Woods is held in the beautiful ancestral lands of the Akisqnuk First Nation in the Columbia River Valley. How does the location shape the festival?
The relationship between the landowners and the event organizers at Wicked Woods is deeply rooted in respecting and maintaining Indigenous values. The festival is located on the ancestral lands of the Akisqnuk First Nation and is within the ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa border. This profound setting shapes the festival’s character and ethos, inspiring a deep connection to nature and a commitment to environmental stewardship from all who attend.
Collaboration with the local community is a cornerstone of the event, as organizers work with the Akisqnuk First Nation to guide staff, volunteers, and attendees in treating the land with respect and cherishing the natural beauty of Wicked Wood’s annual celebrations. This partnership promotes awareness and appreciation of local Indigenous culture, fostering a sense of respect and unity.
The pristine natural setting invites attendees to connect with themselves, with each other, and with the environment. The festival actively supports the local Band and economy, integrating environmental consciousness into its fabric. Wicked Woods ethos and our stunning landscape create an immersive experience that highlights the transformative power of music, art, community and nature.
Are there any initiatives in place to minimize the environmental impact?
Respect for the land is one of the top priorities at Wicked Woods Music Festival. Every decision that impacts the land involves the landowners and is carefully thought out and executed to minimize impact and maintain the natural state of the environment. The festival prioritizes environmental sustainability through various initiatives, including eco-friendly merchandising, sustainable building practices, sourcing local materials, and promoting a “pack in, pack out” and “leave no trace” mentality.
Recycling initiatives are in place to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the festival collaborates with Brain Garden, which provides environmentally focused educational outreach. Brain Garden supplies pocket ashtrays to attendees and manages cigarette waste recycling with Butt Ballots and collection tubes, highlighting the amount of waste recycled.
As festival teammates and land stewards, the organizers are dedicated to honouring and respecting the land. Through mutual support and encouragement, we aim to mitigate our environmental impact, with all guests, staff and attendees practicing leaving the land cleaner than how we found it each year. Embracing this responsibility for Mother Earth is one way our team can make a positive difference while promoting a community-focused festival experience.
Photo Credit: Colin Ferguson @syltography
What is the selection process for the Talent lineup? Does the Talent lineup vary greatly from one year to the next? What is the main vision for creative performances this year?
The Talent selection at Wicked Woods is driven by the goal of providing a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees. Our lineup features live music, art, and performances that highlight the best of the West Coast Music and Art community, with influences from global cultures around the world. We ensure an inclusive environment for artists of all orientations and levels of experience and remain mindful of diversity in our programming.
The primary genre is electronic music, known for its evolving sub-genres and disciplines. Each year, the lineup evolves to introduce new talent and keep the festival fresh. This year’s vision focuses on upholding regional cultural values and fostering creative expression across all aspects of our programming.
How do you handle issues like security, crowd control, and medical emergencies? Are there other safety and harm reduction practices?
The safety and well-being of our guests, staff, artists, and all persons on site is our #1 priority. Wicked Woods Music Festival continues to expand, develop, and explore innovative ways to improve its safety and harm reduction resources and teams. The festival’s safety infrastructure is comprehensive, and structured into several specialized teams: Medical, Security, Sanctuary, Outreach, Safe Haven, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), and Roaming Support. These teams focus on their specific professions and needs while collaborating and working closely together.
Each year, a dedicated group of Wicked Woods volunteers works alongside contracted safety organizations to provide Medical, Security, and Harm Reduction services. Professionals and volunteers continuously learn and adapt to new methods of service provision in this unique festival environment.
Security and Crowd Control: A dedicated Security team is contracted to manage crowd control, handle potential security threats, and ensure the safety of festival-goers throughout the event, including setup and teardown.
Medical Emergencies: Odyssey Medical provides extensive medical support, reducing the impact on local emergency services. Their multi-disciplinary teams, including first responders, paramedics, nurses, and physicians, operate a 24/7 field hospital equipped to handle various medical situations.
Harm Reduction: The harm reduction team offers services such as training, education, and on-site resources. This includes a Women’s Safe Space and a ‘Sanctuary’ staffed with trained personnel to assist with any issues. Partnering with ANKORS, a non-profit organization, the festival provides support, advocacy, harm reduction, prevention, education, and client-centered programs.
Fire Suppression and OHS: Trained departments with experienced personnel handle Fire Suppression and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), ensuring preparedness for any emergencies.
New Health and Safety Initiatives: Recently, roaming teams of Health and Safety professionals were introduced. These teams offer additional support and vigilance, acting as extra eyes and ears to ensure the well-being of attendees across the festival site.
Wicked Woods Music Festival’s commitment to safety and harm reduction ensures that everyone can enjoy the festival while feeling secure and supported.
Photo Credit: Archie Spaul @archiephoto
Wicked Woods seems to be so much more than just a music festival. What other exciting activities can attendees expect?
Wicked Woods Music Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities beyond music, creating a holistic and immersive experience for all guests and attendees.
Art Gallery and Installations: The festival features The Aurora Gallery, home for all things visual art. Live gallery painting, prints and canvases available for sale, and a hotspot for creative conversation, our art gallery is a great place to connect with other like-minded artists and art enthusiasts. We also have various artist installations, including mural artists, projection mapping, and other interactive art projects, set up across the event, transforming the festival grounds into a vibrant, visual wonderland.
Wellness Workshops: Attendees can participate in yoga and wellness workshops designed to enhance their festival experience and assist in their personal growth journey. These workshops offer education and activities focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Vendors: A diverse array of vendors provides artisan goods and a variety of food options, catering to different tastes and preferences. This allows festival-goers to explore unique wares and crafts and provides numerous options for delicious, locally sourced food.
Interactive Experiences: The festival also hosts various interactive experiences, encouraging attendees to engage with the art, environment, and each other in meaningful ways. These activities foster a sense of community and shared exploration.
What impact do you hope the festival will have on its audience, community, and/or the music industry?
Wicked Woods Music Festival aims to inspire, create awareness, and provide a platform for music, art, and all forms of creative expression. By supporting local and international artists, it showcases the best of the West Coast Music and Art community while celebrating the beauty of the East Kootenay region. Held on the unceded territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation, the festival aligns with local values and fosters a family-like atmosphere where people can be their most authentic selves.
More than just a “party,” Wicked Woods is a portal to imagination, shared experiences, and lifelong friendships. It aspires to create an impact that resonates long after the festival ends, enriching the lives of both attendees and volunteers, with hopes of welcoming familiar faces year after year.
As one of the largest music and arts productions in the Kootenays, Wicked Woods attracts a diverse global audience, filling a gap in the region’s live music and art scene. It boosts the regional economy, especially in Fairmont Hot Springs and Invermere, by drawing thousands during the early fall season when tourism is typically low, benefiting local businesses and supporting regional tourism.
Promoting safety, community, inclusivity, and cooperation, the festival aims to leave a positive, lasting impact on its audience, the local community, and the broader music industry. The curated environment encourages creative expression, community building, and innovative perspectives on creating safe, healthy spaces, creating an atmosphere that sparks innovation and new perspectives on how to be better and do better for the world around us.
Q: What is next for the Wicked Woods Music and Arts Society?
Having grown rapidly in recent years, Wicked Woods Music and Arts Society will continue to expand and enhance all aspects of its operations. The festival aims to improve infrastructure, elevate production quality, and increase its capacity to drive positive change within the festival industry. Future plans include:
- Community Engagement: Strengthening ties with the Akisqnuk First Nation and the local community by promoting cultural awareness and collaboration.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Developing new sustainability practices to minimize environmental impact, including innovative waste management solutions and eco-friendly infrastructure.
- Artist Support: Providing more opportunities for local and international artists through expanded stages and creative spaces, such as the Aurora Gallery.
- Educational Programs: Introducing educational programs and workshops that focus on music, art, and environmental stewardship, fostering a culture of learning and growth.
- Economic Impact: Continue to support the local economy by partnering with businesses and creating opportunities for local vendors and service providers.
- Enhanced Experiences: Offering diverse and immersive experiences for attendees, including interactive art installations, wellness activities, and community-building events.
By continuously evolving, Wicked Woods aims to support the event, its community, and the region more effectively, setting a standard for innovation and excellence in the festival industry.
Discover the complete lineup and listen to the official festival playlist on the Wicked Woods website. Stay up to date with the festival on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are sold exclusively at tickets.wickedwoods.ca.
