Karen Lee Batten is set to be the headliner when Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club's Salmon Sessions returns for a third year on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Presented by the Penmar Community Arts Society, the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., all-ages, family-friendly outdoor music festival blends live entertainment with local culture, food, and environmental education.
Benefits go to the Little Campbell Hatchery, a 100 per cent volunteer-run conservation initiative of the club, dedicated to protecting and restoring local salmon populations.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support from Salmon Sessions and the Penmar Community Arts Society,” Diana Barkley, Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club president, said in a media release.
“The Little Campbell Hatchery is a labour of love for our dedicated volunteers, and this event helps us continue protecting one of the last remaining salmon streams in the Lower Mainland.”
Joining Batten in the 2025 line-up will be roots/rockabilly band The Promised; country rock artist Antonio Larosa; local favourite and emerging Canadian pop star Richard Tichelman, and Richmond-based country-pop vocalist Angie Faith & Good Company.
Known for her powerhouse country-soul vocals with a rock edge, Batten, a Canadian Idol Top 10 finalist, is also an eight-time BCCMA Female Artist of the Year with over one million Spotify streams and some 400,000 YouTube views – and is a firm favourite at music festivals across Canada.
Described as "dynamic, daring, and downright unforgettable," The Promised is a roots band with a rockabilly edge, best known for recurring performances on Netflix’s Virgin River. The Salmon Sessions will present the band in full five-piece form.
Larosa, a country rock artist from Vancouver, makes a return to the festival after impressively showcasing his soulful voice, heartfelt songwriting, and high-energy performances. Named 2023 Roots Artist of the Year by the BC Country Music Association, he’s been featured on major playlists by Spotify, Amazon Music, and SiriusXM, and has toured with artists like Kyle McKearney and Don Amero.
Also returning to the festival is rising pop artist Richard Tichelman, whose electrifying guitar work, emotional storytelling, and high-energy shows need little introduction in South Surrey and White Rock. Tichelman has also made national waves as one of Canada’s emerging pop voices, chalking up more than 5.7 million impressions on his breakout track "Hands" and hits like “Dancing In The Kitchen” from his debut album In & Out of Love (2024).
Faith has been hailed for blending country, pop, folk, and adult contemporary with powerhouse vocals and emotional depth. Among recent accolades were wins at the 2023 Joyburst National Singing Competition and the Russell & Roots Festival Battle of the Bands.
Other festival features will be food trucks with a variety of locally-produced treats; local craft beverages from B.C. brewers and cideries, and – new for this year – an artisan market highlighting local makers and creatives.
Also available during the festival will be tours of the Little Campbell Hatchery from passionate volunteers keen to explain its role in conservation of fish stocks.
Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, May 3 at www.penmar.ca.
