Years ago, childhood friends Jacob Mosler and Drew Elliott dreamed of creating and hosting a large scale, destination music festival. This weekend in Langley will be the culmination of that dream, the first annual Island Festival.

Growing up on Whidbey Island and being raised in a small community made a profound impression, instilling a symbolic understanding and holistic outlook of planet Earth as an island.

“As a metaphor, you remember the Gemini 8 photograph of Earth,” Mosler said. “This planet is our big island. Technology has brought everyone together. This is a chance to elevate dialogue and enjoy some great music.”

Musicians, fans and attendees of festivals for years, Jacob and Drew began to research the logistics of festival production by studying other musical celebrations as models for what they envision as their contribution to the world. Combining island living with the ethos of the Oregon Country Fair and the musical adventurism of the High Sierra Music Festival as its model, the Island Festival will be a one-of-a-kind experience incorporating music, recreation, and inspiration.

During the summer of 2002, the dynamic duo began scouting sites for the event, touring festivals around the country, from Jazzfest to Burning Man.

“We cobbled together all the best elements of those festivals and began to do a lot of networking,” Mosler said, adding that they originally considered venues in Mexico, the Bamahas, California, and other decidedly un-Whidbey locations. “We eventually came back to the island. It felt right. It had to be an island.”

The Island Festival will take place Friday through Sunday, July 20 through 22, at South Whidbey Island’s 100-acre Community Park on Maxwelton Road near Langley. The three-day musical event will feature live performances, recreational activities, and inspirational workshops. The first of its kind event will have on-site camping included with the three-day pass available for $85 to $95, and single day tickets are on sale for $35 to $45. The Star Store in Langley are selling tickets at a discount to local residents through tomorrow. After that the tickets will need to be purchased at will call at the event. The box office opens at 10 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Billed as a family-friendly festival, it will celebrate global, collective harmony through carbon neutrality, sustainability planning, artistic inspiration, and recognition of the earth as a singular island in a greater cosmos.

Kids’ activities will be abundant. The event was designed to offer myriad opportunities for every member of the family.

“This is a time for people to be with friends and family and immerse themselves in the whole experience,” Mosler said. “There is so much for the kids to do.”

With a smorgasbord of activities, the event was designed to be a three-day journey; a cathartic weekend to stimulate the mind, body and soul. Music will be a large part of the journey. Over 30 artists on two stages and a DJ dome will include acts from all over the world, including Anoushka Shankar from India, prolific and genre-bending artist Michelle Shocked and the local band SisterMonk. Pacific Northwest talent Vicci Martinez will make her second visit to Whidbey in as many months after rocking Jazzbones on the night of its opening in Oak Harbor.

“We have an amazing, eclectic lineup,” said Mosler, adding that the event has been marketed from Vancouver, B.C. to Portland, Ore. “The Island Festival has been very fortunate and has come together serendipitously smooth. It’s completely grass roots and completely a passion piece.”

Music is only one facet of the festival. For recreation, grass fields will host an array of lawn games, voluntary sports and creative activities, including demonstrations and workshops. Additionally, a 6,300-square foot-skate/bike park, hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, beach swimming and off-site sea kayaking will welcome explorers, outdoor enthusiasts or weekend warriors.

To stimulate the mind and edify event-goers, presentations on renewable energy and global greening will be held and people can choose to attend seminars and interactive workshops on sound healing, movement arts and dance, express creativity through hands-on projects, and view documentary films.

Ever the entrepreneur, Mosler has split his time between the Pacific Northwest and Southern California while producing eight feature films and countless independent projects.

“This is beyond film,” he said. “This is something wonderful for the community.”

In 2002 the idea of the Island Festival went into action when Mosler and Elliott reconnected on their common vision. The latter’s vast network and Mosler’s production experience sparked a unique synergy, and they officially started work on their dream by crafting a business plan and securing financing.

“Once we had the financing, we began a three-month blitzkrieg,” Mosler said. The rest is history and history yet to be written.

A beer and wine garden, as well as food vendors will collectively sate the appetites of the throngs of people expected to attend the festival. A bonded and licensed security company, along with two law enforcement deputies will keep the peace, although Mosler doesn’t expect any problems.

“This is a mellow festival,” he said. “There will be a safe, peaceful vibe.”

Attendees are encouraged to carpool or take Island Transit. A $5 local day pass will be charged for parking. A shuttle will be available to transport walk-on ferry passengers from the terminals to the event.

“It’s faster, cheaper and more fun,” the event co-founder said.

Mosler and his crew have worked closely with representatives from the city of Langley, the county and the public schools, all of whom have embraced the festival.

“We want this to be a win, win, win for everybody,” Mosler said.

Putting the Island Festival together has been a large and formidable production. However, the concept and vision have remained static.

“The design is to be a holistic experience,” Mosler said. “It’s a playground to inspire people and to reconnect with hope.”