Boonstock ready to rock

Boonstock 2010 celebrates its fifth birthday bash June 24 to 26 and for founder/producer Colin Kobza, it's been an exhilarating rollercoaster ride.

In a just a few short years the rock festival has grown from a bush league party with friends to a half-million-dollar tourist destination that attracts international talent and out-of-province fans.

"It's been a dream and a passion, but I didn't realize it would be this hard. Boonstock has definitely grown. We now have five employees and it's turned into a significant event for Alberta," says the former hockey player turned promoter.

For this year's festival, he drew up a list of 150 artists and worked with a team to present 28 eclectic bands that make it a point to rip up the stage.

On opening night for instance, Kobza has booked British band Above and Beyond as the headline act. "They're the number-three trance band in the world. That's a huge act for us to book."

On Friday night, he is importing Burnaby's Matthew Good, an iconic Canadian rock musician who has largely pursued a solo career and established himself as a political activist and blogger. "To have somebody like him is a dream come true."

And Saturday night's top bill features The Offspring, a Huntington Beach, Calif. punk rock band. Back in 1994 they released Smash, the best-selling independent label of all time selling more than one million copies. The band is recording a ninth album that lead vocalist Dexter Holland describes as "straight-ahead rock" and will be available later in the summer. "They are amazing."

In addition to the music, organizers are trying to make the festival a more family friendly environment with a mechanical bull, sumo wrestling pit, stilt walkers, fire dancers and inflatables for children.

Camping is also available on the 45-hectare site on Highway 28A near Gibbons. "If you like music, there's no better way to enjoy the sunny beautiful weather we have in the summer than coming to Boonstock."

Below is the band schedule:

Thursday, June 24

• 5:15 p.m. Red Limit

• 6 p.m. Raptors

• 6:45 p.m. Caged Therapy

• 7:30 p.m. Keep 6

• 8:15 p.m. Throttle

• 9 p.m. Call Before You Dig

• 9:45 p.m. Senorita Justice

• 10:15 p.m. Rob Taylor Project

• Midnight Above and Beyond

Friday, June 25

• 12:50 Dirty City Hearts

• 1:45 p.m. Static in Stars

• 2:20 p.m. Long Way Down

• 3:10 p.m. 40 Gun Flagship

• 3:55 p.m. Matt Landry

• 4:40 p.m. Christian Hanson

• 6 p.m. Shout Out Out Out

• 7:30 p.m. Swollen Members

• 9:10 p.m. Ill Scarlett

• 10:50 p.m. Matt Good

Saturday, June 26

•1:20 p.m. No Heat Tomorrow

•1:55 p.m. Self Evolution

• 2:35 p.m. Face First

• 3:20 p.m. Hollywood Assasyn

• 4:05 p.m. Stand Down

• 4:55 p.m. Hail the Villain

• 6 p.m. Age of Daze

• 7:30 p.m. Chevelle

• 9 p.m. Papa Roach

• 10:40 p.m. The Offspring