Thousands of people filled Langford’s Starlight Stadium on Saturday, August 2, for one of the country’s most inspiring and drug-free festivals. The event, known as SoberFest, celebrated its fourth successful year with a full day of live music, fun activities, and a focus on addiction recovery.
This year’s festival featured top Canadian performers, including Juno Award winners Serena Ryder and The Strumbellas. Also taking the stage was rapper Snak the Ripper, who energized the crowd with his powerful lyrics and stage presence. The concert lineup alone drew large numbers, but SoberFest offered much more than just music.
The family-friendly atmosphere was one of the highlights of the event. Parents and kids enjoyed the huge kids’ zone, packed with bouncy castles, superheroes, and obstacle courses. Free T-shirt designing stations gave children and adults a chance to be creative. Families and groups of friends spent the day together, enjoying a space where everyone felt safe, included, and entertained.
Unlike many other festivals, SoberFest is 100% alcohol and drug-free. This allows attendees in recovery, as well as those choosing sober lifestyles, to enjoy the event without pressure or temptation. The clean environment promotes health, healing, and strong community bonds. It also helps reduce common festival problems like unruly behavior and safety concerns.
Besides entertainment, SoberFest offered a wide variety of food and shopping options. Vendor booths lined the stadium grounds, featuring handcrafted goods, local treats, and non-profit displays. Attendees could sample delicious eats from local food trucks and browse artisan-made products ranging from jewelry to home goods.
An important part of the festival was the connection to recovery services. Booths run by addiction support groups and mental health providers gave visitors a chance to learn more about help available in the region. Information on treatment, counseling, and community resources was easy to access, making the event both fun and informative.
Festival founder Mike Manhas, who started the event as a way to celebrate recovery, spoke about the impact SoberFest has had over the years. Ticket sales from the festival directly support addiction treatment through the ReWired Recovery Foundation. So far, the festival has helped fund treatment for 75 people. More than 50 of those individuals are still sober today, a powerful result that shows the real-life impact of the event.
“SoberFest is about more than music,” Manhas said. “It’s about giving people a chance to celebrate life without needing drugs or alcohol. We’ve built a space where recovery is supported, families are welcomed, and everyone can feel proud of who they are.”
The festival has grown each year, both in size and community support. Volunteers, sponsors, and attendees continue to make SoberFest a success, with many already looking forward to next year’s event. As more people seek healthier ways to connect and celebrate, drug-free festivals like this are becoming a popular choice.
Langford’s SoberFest proves that good music, strong community, and a safe space can come together for a powerful cause. With each event, the team behind the festival continues to build hope and support for those on the journey to recovery. And for those who came simply to enjoy a day of fun and music, it delivered on every level.
