The dog days of summer are at our feet. Most folks are finally starting to relax through sunny days and slow nights, hanging around with family and friends.

Add great music to the mix, and it's heaven on earth.

Enjoy all that and more in our own backyard, at the 2010 Rockin' River Music Festival on Aug. 13 and 14 at the riverside setting of the Mission Raceway.

The event showcases award-laden artists in Canadian country music, many who call the Fraser Valley home.

Johnny Reid, Crystal Shawanda, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, The Higgins, One More Girl, Ridley Bent, the Whiskey Jane Band, Diezel, Chris Buck, Karen Lee Batten, The Johnson Brothers, Debbie Bergeron and others will delight us at the family-friendly event.

A Rockin' River festival organizer and performer, Kenny Hess gushes over the calibre of artists.

"There's a fabulous line-up this year. We've got great local talent, who are [also] huge stars across the country," said Hess. Most have earned awards and nominations for their talents.

Reid, for one, earned the 2009 Canadian Country Music Fans' choice award, plus album of the year, male artist of the year and other honours.

Jessie Farrell "has won just about every award you can win in B.C.," said Hess, including B.C Country Music female vocalist last year, and she always has a song at the top of the radio play lists.

One More Girl, two sisters who hail from Maple Ridge, has had five top 10 hits, and five of their videos have hit No. 1 in Canada.

In 2009 Bent collected seven BCCMA awards including roots/Canadiana artist, entertainer, fans' choice, male vocalist, songwriter, best single and the Gaylord Wood Traditional Country award. Whew.

Off stage the music continues, as homegrown favourites Brent Lee Band, Merv Tremblay and Bud Webb & the Outriders entertain in the festival beverage tent.

Along with the exciting first-class country music comes a first-rate outdoor venue. The grounds are surrounded by towering cottonwoods, adjacent to the slow moving Fraser, and are serviced by a powerful sound system.

"In all the shows I've played, it's without question the best site. The sound last year was impeccable. It's the best outdoor sound I've heard," Hess said.

There's plenty of room for guests with 1,000 shady camping spots on site. Rockin' River attracts visitors from B.C. and beyond, and one-third of the camping area is already booked. Reserve seating is sold out, although Country 107.1 radio has some seats left.

But while up to 95 per cent of the visitors are from out of town, locals have yet to take in this star-studded showcase, said Hess.

"We're hoping the locals will come out and support this wonderful event, and these talented musicians."

As in previous years, the Mission firefighters will run the beer tent and take the proceeds for their charities. Food vendors will keep you fueled with tasty First Nations and South Asian fare, as well as burgers and dogs.

Being a family-friendly affair, children under 12 get in free.

- Tickets are $99 for two days, $49 for Friday night, or $79 for all day Saturday. Camping is $25 for tents for two nights, $25 a night for RVs. Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. Mission Raceway Park is at 32670 Dyke Rd., Mission, across the highway from the Mission Junction mall. By the way, volunteers are welcome! For tickets and more details see rockinriver.com and click on Rockin' River Music Fest, or call 1-877-307-4837.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com