Five years ago, SoberFest was a backyard gathering with about 400 people. On Saturday, more than 3,400 people packed Starlight Stadium in Langford and helped raise more than $20,000 for people struggling with addiction. The money raised through the fifth annual drug- and alcohol-free festival will help fund 16 treatment beds, giving people seeking recovery a place to turn when they’re ready for help. For Mike Manhas of ReWired Recovery Hub, that access can’t come soon enough. “So many people get deterred when you’re looking for help and there’s no options, or someone tells you to come back six months from now or three months from now,” Manhas said. “It’s quite discouraging and deflating.” That wait can be enough to make someone give up, he said. “We want to be there for people and to provide hope,” Manhas said. “To say, ‘We’re here, and we have something tangible for you right now.’” That is the goal behind the ReWired Recovery Foundation, which works to bridge the gap between people struggling with addiction and access to treatment. SoberFest is one way the foundation is trying to make that happen, while creating a space where people can come together without drugs or alcohol. This year’s festival featured performances by Canadian artists including Fefe Dobson and Bif Naked, but the biggest impact may come long after the final song. For someone who has been told to wait months for help, having somewhere to turn when they’re ready can make all the difference. “It means the world.”
