This year would’ve been the 17th Asham Stomperfest, but the COVID situation has caused the owner of the festival, Arnold Asham, to postpone the event to next year.
Arnold is excited for the return of Asham Stomperfest next year.
“Most certainly, I’m looking forward to taking a couple years to plan this as opposed to one year and I’m at the site here right now and we’re working on the grounds, making sure everything’s in order and we’re looking forward to a big year next year and going forward to 20 years and then we’ll make another decision at that point and see.”
Asham says the long term future of the festival beyond that, is in question.
“If I can make it profitable over the next 3 or 4 years, we may continue to have it. If I can’t, well, there’s no way I can continue to lose 10 or 15 thousand a year.”
In past years, Asham spent tens of thousands of dollars to bring in performers such as Trooper and Charlie Major, as well as on lights and sound every year. With the bigger acts, an attendance around 3000 would be needed to make money and Asham says attendance was closer to 2000 or 2500 people. He says in the future they won’t be able to afford the big acts if they want to make money and keep the festival going.
One of the most satisfying parts of Asham Stomperfest for Arnold is their mission, which is to bring hope to indigenous people.
“I’ve gotten some beautiful carvings and stuff from the teams that come from the north, thanking me for what I do and the self-confidence I instil in young people.”
