A chilly breeze swoops in off the lake as the last few boats docked in the Port Dalhousie harbour rock against each other, the thick sonorous sound their hulls make when they crash together mimicking a muffled symphony.
What was once a field is now a makeshift parking lot manned by various young people tucked into toques, scarves and brightly coloured orange safety vests. A group of four androgynous attendees sporting shaggy mullets pile out of a forest-green Subaru and head for the check-in line. It’s easy to lose sight of them in the crowd forming at the front gate, each member looking strangely similar to the person standing next to them. It’s not cold enough for jackets, at least not while the early autumn sun still lingers in the sky, but dark-coloured turtlenecks seem to be in fashion, paired with olive green trousers and brown Blundstones. It’s hard to tell if these matching outfits are intentional, or if this is simply the unspoken uniform for those attending the Cicada Musical Festival.
Now a Port Dalhousie tradition, Cicada Music Fest started as a backyard party put together by the father of the festival, Thom Lepp. After 13 years, the party had grown too big to host in Thom’s backyard and Cicada Fest was born. After spending five years trying to find a permanent home for his “party,” Thom decided on Henley Island in 2010. This has been the festival’s home ever since.
Though Thom passed away in 2017, his sons Malcom, Evan and family friend Ben Goerzen continue to plan the festival in his honour. Supporting various causes throughout the years, the most recent community partner was the Pathstone Mental Health Foundation.
This year, the festival ran from Saturday, Oct. 5 to Sunday, Oct. 6. Henley Island sported three stages: the Martindale Stage, the largest stage; the Henley Stage, a medium-sized stage; and Thom’s Backyard, a small caravan tucked away into the trees that has been fashioned into a more intimate stage for the festival’s newer artists.
On Saturday, notable artists like Serena Ryder and Half Moon Run stormed the Martindale stage while Andy Shauf and Slow Pulp graced the ears of listeners near the Henley Stage.
On Sunday, Death From Above 1979, Big Wreck, Lowest of the Low and The Blue Stones also performed.
On top of the big names, various lesser-known local artists, one of whom was former Brock student Lydia Stephen, got their chance to shine too.
The festival’s full lineup can be found here.
While it has grown throughout the years, Cicada Music Festival is still dedicated to celebrating Canada’s best musical talent, putting together a lineup of both familiar and new artists. Their aim is to create an event for everyone built on the back of locals and their support.
Even in the absence of Lepp, the festival has retained the cozy and welcoming communal atmosphere that the founder cultivated in the backyard parties he held all those years ago.