The #BuyBasin Online Festival will run from March 23 to April 27 and will feature local businesses and live online performances from Shred Kelly, Ricky Diamonds, and Sean Rodman from Moontricks.

Sage McBride knows a lot about live, online performances. The keyboardist for the popular alt-folk Fernie, British Columbia, band Shred Kelly, McBride says they’ve done 22 live concerts this past year in lieu of in-person gigs that were cancelled because of Covid. She’s also helped organize other online events for various groups including the #BuyBasin Festival, which launches today.

A partnership between the Columbia Basin Trust and online magazine FestivalSeekers, the #BuyBasin Festival will take place on Facebook every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from March 23 to April 27 and will feature local entrepreneurs, businesses, and a different live act every day including Shred Kelly, Redgirl, and Sly Violet.

Over 100 companies from across the Columbia Basin will also be going live on Facebook during the #BuyBasin Festival with expert tips, giveaways, and demos and it will give attendees the chance to virtually explore businesses in communities like Trail, Rossland, Golden, Revelstoke, Valemount, Slocan, Lower Columbia, Nelson, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Elk Valley and more.

“What is cool about this festival is that it gives a chance for people and businesses from all over the Basin to connect and support each other,” says McBride. “I’ve been an advocate for shopping local for a while now, but one of the silver linings of the pandemic is seeing the collective shift in consumer behaviours locally. I’m hoping this festival continues to give traction to the shop local revolution and that we can keep the doors open for all or our local businesses.”

The performances and live business broadcasts are free to attend and can be found on the following Facebook pages: @BasinBusinessAdvisors, @FestivalSeekers, and the #BuyBasin event page.

Shred Kelly is one of the bands that will be doing live music performances during the festival.

“I’m super pumped to learn more about how businesses in our region have pivoted, and how they lift each other up,” McBride continues. “I’m also really excited about the performance lineup. It’s been far too long since I was at a music festival, and I’m excited to watch my fellow Columbia Basin artists perform virtually.”

If you are an entrepreneur or business owner who wants to partake in the festival, or if you simply want to find out more information about it, visit ourtrust.org/buybasin.