Disclosure – This post was written in partnership with Manitoulin Country Fest. All thoughts and opinions on this blog are my own.
One of the biggest and most highly anticipated events of the year on Manitoulin Island is Manitoulin Country Fest. One of the very first things I noticed when I moved to the island years ago was that Country Music seemed to be the music genre of choice in these parts of Ontario. Almost everyone I know here gets really excited weeks before the big event! In fact, my husband is a big country music fan.
Even country music lovers from off-island (from the Greater Sudbury Area and as far as parts of Southern Ontario) look forward to Country Fest. I am often told about how great the musical lineup is each year.
A little background on Country Fest
Manitoulin Country Fest was first held in 2007 as a one day event with 5 artists and just over 1,000 people in attendance. The community of Little Current now welcomes close to 9,000 people daily for the 3-day event that now features 16 artists on their main stage as well as 3 emerging artists in their VIP area.
Manitoulin Country Fest is own and operated by Kelly and Craig Timmermans. The 3 day long country music festival takes place August 8th, 9th, and 10th at the Flat Rock Entertainment Centre in Little Current. Over the course of the 3-day event, the world-class country music experience is enhanced by free children’s activities, a variety of vendor booths, beer gardens, on-site camping, and boat tours on the world famous Lake Huron & North Channel. Manitoulin Country Fest is a fun time for the entire family!
More about Manitoulin Country Fest
In addition to providing three full nights of country music at their festival grounds, there are two supplemental events and a travel fan experience that they offer to their patrons.
Manitoulin Country Fest works closely with one of their community partners, the North Channel Cruise Line, to highlight amazing Canadian country music amidst the world famous waterways around Manitoulin Island. Annually, they are able to donate to close to $10,000 to a local charity as a direct result of their community partnerships.
1. The Cruise for a Cause is a dinner cruise on the North Channel on Wednesday August 7th
this year and features Canadian country duo The Reklaws. The Singer Songwriter
Showcase is a luncheon that features acoustic songwriters in the round including Shawn
Austin, Don Amero, Brad James, and Jay Allan and is hosted by Beverley Mahood this
year.
2. The Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) are an annual event that showcases
Canadian country music talent and celebrates the Canadian music industry. The
Manitoulin Country Fest CCMA Fan Experience entitles one lucky winner and a guest to
attend the awards ceremony and extra events and provides travel and lodging expenses
along with spending money. The 2019 event will take place from Friday September 6th
to Sunday September 8th in Calgary, Alberta.
Manitoulin Country Fest has become the success it is today due in part to generous support from
our community and corporate sponsors. Our 2019 event is generously supported by Manitoulin
Transport at the $10,000.00 level and McQuarrie Motor Products at the $5,000.00 level amidst a
myriad of additional sponsors at varying levels of financial commitment.
Past Country Fest artists include:
Lee Brice, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emerson Drive, George Canyon, Gord Bamford, Johnny Reid, River Town Saints, Dwight Yoakum, High Valley, Chad Brownlee, Terri Clark, Joe Nichols, Paul Brandt, Brett Kissel, Josh Turner, Tim Hicks, Blue Rodeo, Aaron Pritchett, Michelle Wright, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dallas Smith, Jason Blaine, Madeline Merlo, The Road Hammers, Black Jack Billy, Kellie Pickler, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Carroll Baker.
This year’s exciting Manitoulin Country Fest lineup includes:
Don Amero, The Reklaws, James Barker Band, Emily Bashall, Shawn Austin, The Dungarees, Tanya Tucker, Clay Walker, Drew Taylor, Jessie T, Nice Horse, Petric, Hunter Brothers, Jess Moskaluke, and Paul Brandt.
For camping, tickets, and more info, visit the Manitoulin Country Fest website!
Connect with them on social too:
This year, we’ll be checking out Country Fest and will be sharing our experience with you!
Photos & images belong to Manitoulin Country Fest.
Leave a Reply