Despite feeling exhausted after this year鈥檚 festival, Vancouver Island Musicfest鈥檚 artistic director and producer Doug Cox is delighted by how the event turned out.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it could have gone any better,鈥� says Cox. 鈥淔rom all ends it was a huge success.鈥�

According to Cox, this success is in large part due to the 1,200 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event come to life.

With the presence of more than 9,000 concertgoers, Cox extends his thanks to the crowd.

鈥淭he energy was phenomenal,鈥� adds Cox. 鈥淚t was peaceful, respectful, and wonderful. We didn鈥檛 have a single arrest or a single forced removal from the festival site.鈥�

This year鈥檚 festival showcased the potential of more than 50 bands and 250 musicians coming from all over the world.

More than being an artistic event, the festival has proven over the years to be an economic powerhouse for the Valley.

鈥淭here have been numerous surveys done and they say that for every dollar spent on producing a festival, there鈥檚 three to four dollars that come back to the host community,鈥� explains Cox. 鈥淥ur operating budget was around $1.8 million this year. Multiply this by 3.5 and that would give you a pretty good estimate of what comes back into the community.鈥�

Adding onto the economic benefits generated by the event, Cox emphasizes the positive impact of the festival on the attendees鈥� mental health.

鈥淚 have so many people that have written to me through Facebook or via email to say that the festival brought their spirit back and restored their hope for humanity,鈥� says Cox.

With final thanks to the support of more than 130 sponsors who made this event possible, Cox wishes to see everyone next year.

鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know what Musicfest is about, please come, check it out, and join us,鈥� says Cox. 鈥淏ecome a volunteer or just come as an audience member next year because you will be moved.鈥�

PHOTOS: Vancouver Island Musicfest 2023 in pictures

olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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