13th annual Mississauga Waterfront Festival (2009)

It speaks volumes that a well-travelled and established band like Vancouver’s 54-40 seems like almost an afterthought at this year’s 13th annual Mississauga Waterfront Festival, running June 19, 20, and 21 at Port Credit Memorial Park.

But that’s the way it is, with marquee headliners like Montreal’s red-hot Sam Roberts Band (Friday night), and legendary folk/rock artist Bruce Cockburn (Sunday). And it serves notice of the popularity of this event, expected to draw 70,000 people over the course of the weekend.

In Roberts, they’ve landed their most current, high-profile headliner to date. He’s coming off a successful U.S. tour, and a pair of 2009 JUNO awards (Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year, for Love At The End Of The World). “We are so thrilled,” says Patti Jannetta-Baker, the festival’s Artistic/Event manager. “I’ve tried to get him for four years. And this is his only GTA date this summer.” Saturday’s show will feature a Retro Eighties Night with 54-40, The Spoons, and Skydiggers. And on Sunday, Cockburn will be joined by Australian artist Mark Seymour (former front man for the band Hunters & Collectors), and promising folk artist Catherine MacLellan. For Friday’s concert, Roberts will be supported by country/folk/rock diva Kathleen Edwards (riding the buzz of her JUNO Awards show duet with Bryan Adams), and blues/folk/pop up-and-comer Justin Nozuka. Anticipating their biggest single night attendance on record, festival organizers have created a new FridayFest Concert Pass for $25, which includes festival access all weekend long. A separate Saturday and Sunday Adult Pass ($15), and Kids/Seniors pass ($10) is also available. (Call the Festival hotline at 905-891-0002, or order online at maplemusic.com/mwftickets). “When you look at our headliners this year, we’ve probably got the strongest lineup we’ve ever had,” Jannetta-Baker comments. “(And) I think this year we’ve really tried to figure out who wants to come to our festival. We know we have a huge concert market, and a family market. You just can’t (necessarily) bring your kids out to an evening concert. That’s why we created the FridayFest.”