Friday 26 April 2013

Preview: Manitoba Country Festivals


Talk about a memory machine – summer festivals are classic, but never really get old. And Manitoba is full of them. Since it's already spring (says the calendar, at least), here is an overview of what to look forward to once (or if ) this snow ever melts. 

Dauphin's Countryfest (June 27-30)

You got it! According to its website, Dauphin's Countryfest is Canada's Longest Running Country Music Festival. It's certainly the biggest and best Manitoba has to offer. With this year's star-studded lineup, it's like moving Nashville out to Timbuktu! Performers include Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Thompson Square, Dierks Bentley, and Kip Moore, to name a few, plus Canadian acts like Dean Brody, High Valley, and Emerson Drive. However, weekend passes already sold out within 12 hours in November. Some other attractions include a mechanical bull, sports bar, Countryfest Beach, and poker tournament. The festival has even created a multi-platform mobile app for 2013. Check out countryfest.ca for more info.

Red River EX (June 14-23)

Of course, Winnipeg's Red River EX isn't exclusively a "country" festival. But it's got all of the standards – mini doughnuts, candy apples, cotton candy...did I mention rides? This event probably has the best selection of midway rides locally. And if you need a little more adrenaline, there's a new ride featured this year called Mach 3. Concerts have not been announced yet, but some of last year's were Jason McCoy, Dallas Smith, and of course, the amazing Carly Rae Jepsen. Learn more at redriverex.com.

Summer in the City Festival (June 14-16) 

2013 will be the milestone fifth year of this weekend event, taking place in the downtown of Manitoba's third-largest city. Gord Bamford will be the main country headliner, with opening acts yet to be announced. With a multitude of tents and vendors lined up along Main Street, this young festival feels friendly, busy, and vibrant. Learn more at summerinthecity.ca. 

Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair (June 7-8)

No Dean Brody this year, but as the name suggests, Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair is one of the most genuinely country festivals around. With a large car show and an impressive small-town midway, it's kind of old-fashioned – in a good way. And the Blackout Fireworks (promised to be more spectacular than ever) are actually quite impressive against a Prairie sky. This year's top performers include Aaron Pritchett and Charlie Major. Visit nivervillefair.com for details.

Hanover Ag Fair (August 15-18)

This is festival is also very traditional and relaxed, with a uniquely welcoming atmosphere. It takes place on a fairgrounds in Grunthal (southwest of Steinbach), and usually features a major Canadian country act (to be announced). Last year was Shane Yellowbird, and before that, High Valley. But the rodeo is the real kicker, which was actually named the best of 2012 by the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association. The fair's website is hanoverag.com.

Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition (July 18-21)

The Morris event isn't centred so much around music, but contains a big rodeo and turns 50 years old in 2013. Manitoba acts Jason Kirkness, Jason Petric, and Frannie Klein will be performing too, and there are a number of side activities, including a youth talent content. You can look it up at manitobastampede.ca.

I know there are many more great Manitoba country events, and if you'd like to add your favourite to the list, feel free to do so below. There's something about the smell of concession stand food, spending an evening wandering a fairgrounds, and getting dizzy from riding the Skymaster that just feels right. I can't wait to hit up some awesome festivals this year, and wish you an excellent country summer!

Photo by Cody Goetz, courtesy of summerinthecity.ca.

8 comments:

  1. Branded content has long been very hard to define especially as the definition is very elastic,
    meaning different things to different people. With folks defecting from Ebay to go to Amazon, with Prime subscribers
    getting free shipping, and with more and more retail moving online, this is going to play out like
    a very well-written soap opera. This was true on their first release, but
    becomes very noticeable on Contra with its depth, breadth, and
    synthesis of genres.

    Here is my web site ... vampire weekend modern vampires of the city zip download

    ReplyDelete
  2. When inspecting the base of the board, be wary of cracks or deep cuts as
    these are difficult to repair. Tron's original soundtrack by Wendy Carlos never left an impression with me either even being a film score and electronica fanatic. The video then provides a background to how the stain came to be, from the growing of the tomato plant, to his mom making him homemade spaghetti sauce, and everything in between.

    Feel free to visit my blog: daft punk random access memories download free

    ReplyDelete
  3. Setting up a blog is not all that complicated and it is perfectly fine to use one of the free blogging platforms
    such as Blogger, Wordpress, or many more. A passive
    income like this provides can make a big difference
    in your life, as anyone with a calculator can determine. Click "publish" and your website is
    live on the Internet.

    my web-site exit cash machine

    ReplyDelete
  4. Getting rich is not the result of saving,
    or "thrift"; many very penurious people are poor, while free
    spenders often get rich. Ebooks are available in PDF format also
    and some of websites provides booklet in various
    formats like Audio textbook so it becomes more easy to understand these books.
    You don't have to add that you are also being a cheapskate, or maybe you could take advantage of a teachable moment about sticking to a budget.

    Here is my blog; free pdf ebook download

    ReplyDelete
  5. You'll be using three fingers, your first, second and third fingers to form the E Major Chord. Blaze Of Glory - 1990 - From Jon's solo album "Young Guns II", this single got
    Jon a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Pop singer Lady Ga -
    Ga has been selling cool rubber bracelets emblazoned with
    "We Pray for Japan" (in both English and Japanese) on her
    official online store.

    Also visit my homepage ... Free Download Top 20 Music

    ReplyDelete
  6. What's Going down i'm nеw to this, I stumbled upon this I havе ԁiscoѵereԁ It absolutely useful anԁ it has аided me out loads.

    Ι am hoρing to contribute & aid other uѕers lіke its
    aіdеd me. Gooԁ job.

    Hеre is my web-site :: does legal ecstasy work

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey! I know this iѕ kindа off toρic but I ωаs ωοndering іf you knew wherе
    I could find а сaptchа plugіn for
    my cοmment form? Ι'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm haνing
    problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Feеl frеe to surf tо my webpage ::
    reputation management

    ReplyDelete
  8. This paragraph is truly a nice one it helps new internet people, who are wishing in favor of blogging.


    Here is my web site :: cheap party pills

    ReplyDelete

Please share your thoughts below!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.