"... The Camp has been a staple of the Keleher family for three generations."
Rick Keleher helped his father build "The Camp" back in the 1960s, and in 2018 he rocked the stage at the Pocologan Camp Party as DJ ANTEEQ. This is that story.
For decades The Camp was a second home to the Kelehers, hosting everything from fishing weekends to family reunions. With friends and family scattered up and down the blueberry-lined road, "The Camp" in Pocologan, New Brunswick has been a staple of the Keleher family for three generations.
For decades The Camp was a second home to the Kelehers, hosting everything from fishing weekends to family reunions. With friends and family scattered up and down the blueberry-lined road, "The Camp" in Pocologan, New Brunswick has been a staple of the Keleher family for three generations.
Jeff Keleher grew up on summers at the Camp, thanks to a shared love of fishing with his dad, Rick. One day Jeff became a man and realised that miles of forest makes a really good insulator for sound... particularly the sound of bass so deep it makes you poop your pants. The first unofficial "Camp Party" happened somewhere around 2008, with just a few tents, a bonfire, and some friends who know how to spin some tunes.
Fast forward to 2018, the Pocologan Camp Party opened itself up to the public for its 10th anniversary. With record attendance, an impressive lineup of artists, and an unmatched spirit of fun in the air, Pocologan had cemented itself as "the best not-so-secret party around".
In 2019 the event sold out and in 2020 the Pocologan Camp Party moved to the iconic Retreat Lake site, former home of the legendary Sunseeker's Ball.
Fast forward to 2018, the Pocologan Camp Party opened itself up to the public for its 10th anniversary. With record attendance, an impressive lineup of artists, and an unmatched spirit of fun in the air, Pocologan had cemented itself as "the best not-so-secret party around".
In 2019 the event sold out and in 2020 the Pocologan Camp Party moved to the iconic Retreat Lake site, former home of the legendary Sunseeker's Ball.
The Pocologan Camp Party is a 2-day, 19+ event for lovers of music, arts, and making friends. In the daytime expect folk music vibes, and the energy builds as the sun goes down. Around dusk the crowd will be rockin' out, at midnight you will be given your assigned dancing shoes, and after that... well let's just say things get weird. In a good way.
Pocologan is made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers and by the grace of the amazing communities of Pocologan and Musquash, New Brunswick. What started as a confusing and very loud inconvenience has blossomed into an event that the locals look forward to all summer long.
Pocologan is made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers and by the grace of the amazing communities of Pocologan and Musquash, New Brunswick. What started as a confusing and very loud inconvenience has blossomed into an event that the locals look forward to all summer long.
Making Lemonade
When COVID-19 hit, the music festival community collectively mourned the "loss" of Festival Season 2020. What may seem like a few lost weekends of live music, is actually a long-awaited ritual of self-expression that many people consider crucial to their identity. The Pocologan Team joined their sister events in the responsible postponement of the Pocologan Camp Party.
As Pocologan mused on the festival community's sense of loss, they made the quick decision to host a live music event that would fit within the strict social distancing guidelines. Words like "ASAP" and "at all costs" were thrown around, until Music & Comedy at the Sussex Drive-In was planned for June 12th, 2020.
The first-of-its kind event sold out - and then-some. A combination of music fans, comedy fans, camping fans, and drive-in fans joined the 300-car crowd to enjoy performances by James Mullinger, the Divorcees, and Jamie Comeau & the Crooked Teeth.
As Pocologan mused on the festival community's sense of loss, they made the quick decision to host a live music event that would fit within the strict social distancing guidelines. Words like "ASAP" and "at all costs" were thrown around, until Music & Comedy at the Sussex Drive-In was planned for June 12th, 2020.
The first-of-its kind event sold out - and then-some. A combination of music fans, comedy fans, camping fans, and drive-in fans joined the 300-car crowd to enjoy performances by James Mullinger, the Divorcees, and Jamie Comeau & the Crooked Teeth.
What's Next?
The Pocologan Productions Team has an itch that can't be scratched, and a community of passionate music fans hungry for the energy of a live music crowd. They are seeking partners, venues, and performers who are looking for creative live music solutions. Get in touch to start the convo!