It’s a summer event guide and you’re invited!

by Gregory Beatty

We haven’t done a listing of fun summer events in Regina, Saskatoon and the rest of the province for a couple of years now. We totally suck! But we’re making up for it this year. Hooray! And just in time, too, because Saskatchewan’ being invaded by newcomers drawn to our volatile resource-based economy and skyrocketing house prices. Why, it’s a veritable influx of newcomers! What better time to bring people up to speed on some fun, educational, creative and outright loony things do during our all too brief summer?

For more information on these events, and to find about even more summer activities, visit the Tourism Regina. Tourism Saskatoon and Tourism Saskatchewan websites. /Gregory Beatty

REGINA!

Regina International Fringe Festival

July 10-14

www.reginafringe.com.

Includes a mix of local, national and international fringe theatre artists.

Craven Country Jamboree

July 10-14

www.cravencountryjamboree.com

Four day orgy of country music, drinking and fun pastimes. Headline acts include Tim McGraw (Friday), Dixie Chicks (Saturday) and Kenney Chesney (Sunday).

Secret Gardens Tour

July 12-14

secretgardenstour.ca

Mix of self-directed garden tours and dance performances, this year on the theme “Birds, Bees & Butterflies”.

Air Show

July 13

nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/reginaflyers/

Hosted by Regina Windy Flyers, includes radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters.

The Trial of Louis Riel

July 17-Aug. 2.

306-728-5728

Re-enactment of the 1885 trial where Metis leader Louis Riel was tried in Regina for treason for his part in the Northwest Rebellion/Resistance against Canadian government forces.

CariSask

July 19-20

Two day family friendly festival in Wascana Centre celebrating Caribbean music, food and dance.

LatinoFest

July 27

www.latinfusionstudio.com/latinofest-2013

Family friendly festival set in Wascana Centre which celebrates Latin music, food and dance.

Queen City Ex

July 31-Aug. 4

thequeencityex.com

Feature attractions include Shrek Live, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo and Giant Flea Circus, along with the midway, grandstand performers and an evening parade to kick-off the fair on July 30.

Connect Festival

Besant Campground (West on #1 Hwy.)

Aug. 1-5

www.connectfestival.com

Annual electronic music-fest, with feature acts Florian Meindl, Luis Flores and Kytami.

Regina Folk Festival

Aug. 9-11

reginafolkfestival.com

Takes place in Victoria Park, making it Canada’s coziest folk festival, with free daytime stages and ticketed main stage concerts at night. Feature acts include Feist, Neko Case, Charles Bradley and Loreena McKennitt.

Symphony Under The Sky

Aug. 18

reginasymphony.com

Annual outdoor kick-off to the Regina Symphony Orchestra’s fall season, features a range of musical acts topped off by a performance by the RSO.

SaskTel Summer Invasion

Aug. 23-25

summerinvasion.ca

The dates may have changed from early July to late August, but everything else remains the same, with daytime Xtreme sports events followed by concerts at night.

Regina Dragon Boat Festival

Aug. 30-31.

reginadragonboat.com

Teams of rowers compete for supremacy on the waters of the mighty Wascana Lake.

SASKATOON!

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan

July 10-Aug. 25

www.shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com

Plays being performed this year are Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors, also features medieval feats on July 14 and 21.

Pion-Era

July 13-14

www.wdm.ca

Hosted by the Western Development Museum, includes displays of fashion, vintage cars and costumed interpreters churning butter and doing other pioneer activities.

A Taste of Saskatchewan

July 16-21

www.tasteofsaskatchewan.ca

Whet your appetite for food and music at this popular festival, featuring gourmet food from local restaurants and food producers along with quality acts in a range of musical genres.

Saskatoon Dragon Boat Festival

July 26-27

www.heartandstroke.sk.ca

Teams of amateur rowers race on the river with proceeds to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Reggae & World Music Festival

July 27

www.saskatoonreggaefestival.com

Feature acts include hoop dancer Terrance Littletent, Mikey Dangerous and Bank Preeyapong.

PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival

Aug. 1-10

www.potashcorpfringe.ca

Includes a host of fringe theatre shows along with buskers and street vendors.

Saskatoon RibFest

Aug. 2-5

www.saskatoonribfest.com

Hosted by the Saskatoon Nutana Rotary Club, includes BBQ competitions, music and, of course, the consumption of delectable ribs.

Saskatoon Exhibition

Aug. 6-11

www.saskatoonexhibition.ca

Includes music, midway rides, and other fair attractions.

John Arcand Fiddle Fest

Aug. 8-11

www.johnarcandfiddlefest.com

Includes workshops, concerts and Metis dance and craft activities with special children’s programming.

Saskatoon FolkFest

Aug. 15-17

www.saskatoonfolkfest.ca

Annual celebration of Saskatoon’s multi-cultural character, includes music food and entertainment.

PotashCorp Fireworks Festival

Aug. 30-31

www.potashcorpfireworksfestival.com

Features live entertainment during the day and choreographed fireworks displays at night.

THE HINTERLAND!

Claybank Brick Plant

50 min. SW of Regina

June 30

claybank.sasktelwebsite.net

Tour this national historic site and learn about the process of making bricks from clay.

Motherwell Homestead

Abernathy

July 1

www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/motherwell

Celebrate Canada Day at this national historic site and learn more about pioneer life.

Spirits of the Trail

July 1-Sept. 25

www.burning sun.ca

Presented by Burning Sky Theatre, this travelling theatre production recounts an historic encounter between Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and NWMP inspector James Walsh. See website for dates on the trail from Fort Qu’Appelle to Fort Walsh.

La Fete Fransaskoise

Batoche

July 5-7

www.fetefransaskoise.ajf.ca

Family friendly festival with children’s events, food, dancing and music. Featured performers include Indigo Joseph and Pile O Bones Brass Band.

All Folk’d Up

Montmarte

July 5-7

www.allfolkedup.ca

Three day family friendly music festival featuring English and Francophone acts including Library Voices, La Raquette a Claquettes and Alex Runions.

Carleton Trail Jamboree

Rabbit Lake

July 5-7

www.carletontrailjamboree.com

Country music festival featuring Carroll Baker, Kira Isabella and Brad Johner & the Johner Boys.

Station Arts Centre

Rosthern

July 5-28

www.stationarts.com

If you’re interested in live theatre, David French’s Newfoundland-based love story Salt-Water Moon is on throughout July.

Doukhobor Dugout House

Blaine Lake

July 6-27

www.doukhobordugouthouse.com

A National Historic Site, with costumed interpreters recounting the settlement history of Russian Doukhobors.

Saskatoonberry Festival

Mortlach

July 6

www.mortlach.ca

The motto of this festival devoted to the delectable prairie fruit is “over 3000 people with purple teeth can’t be wrong.”

Summer Chautuaqua

Swift Current

July 11-14

www.lyrictheatre.ca

Annual festival devoted to recreating the atmosphere of travelling shows from the 1920s.

PolkaFest 2013

Hafford

July 12-13

www.hafford.ca

Should be extra special this year as the town is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Motif Multicultural Festival

Moose Jaw

July 12-14

www.mjmcnic.ca

Hosted by the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council in Happy Valley Park, includes music, food and more.

Qu’Appelle Valley Artists Show & Sale

Lebret

July 13-14

www.fortquappelle.com

Includes a host of original paintings, drawings and sketches.

Tobin Lake Walleye Classic

Nipawin

July 13-14

www.nipawinhawks.sk.ca

Hosted by the SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks, this fishing derby should ideally be held in winter so people could ice fish (ha-ha, get it?). But the team’s probably too busy playing hockey then I suppose.

Canora in Bloom

Canora

July 15-20

www.canora.com

Join town residents in celebrating the floral glory of their area.

Cowtown Rodeo

Maple Creek

July 17-19

306-662-3409

In addition to traditional rodeo events, also includes Miss Rodeo and Miss Indian Princess competitions.

Ness Creek Music Festival

Big River

July 18-21

www.nesscreek.com

Saskatchewan’s original eco-friendly music festival held in a remote forested area. Feature acts include Said the Whale, Amelia Curran, the Wooden Sky and Little Miss Higgins & the Winnipeg 5.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words

Moose Jaw

July 18-21

www.festivalofwords.ca

Annual celebration of the written and spoken word. Presenters this year include Candace Savage, Dave Bidini and Carmen Aguirre.

Sandy Creek Gospel Jamboree

Mortlach

July 19-21

www.scgj.org

Get your gospel groove on with acts like the Amunruds, the Trudel Family and Ken Overcast.

PolkaFest 2013

Assiniboia

July 19-21

306-642-5676

Music is provided by the Country Squires and Schuler Family.

Dino Days

Eastend

July 19-21

www.dincountry.com

If you’re in the neighbourhood, offers a perfect chance to check out the T-Rex Centre.

Saskatchewan Handcraft festival

Battleford

July 19-21

www.saskcraftcouncil.org

Organized by the Saskatchewan Craft Council, this market celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2013.

Canada’s Parks Day

July 20

www.saskparks.net

Annual celebration of our national provincial and regional park network.

Children’s Festival

Waskesiu

July 20

306-663-4522

Action-packed day of child-friendly activities.

Vintage Power Machines

Prince Albert

July 20-21

306-980-8340

Includes demonstrations of threshing, logging, heavy horses and more.

Railway Days

Melville

July 26-27

306-728-4177

Annual festival recalling the importance of the railway to Melville.

The Gateway Festival

Bengough

July 26-28

gatewayfestival.ca

Located near the Big Muddy badlands this festival features a stellar line-up this year including Yukon Blonde, Rah Rah, Corb Lund & the Hurtin’ Albertans and Steve Earle & the Dukes.

Centennial Homecoming

Weyburn

Aug. 1-5

www.weyburn100.ca

In addition to special centennial celebrations, also includes the annual Wheat Festival, heritage Village Days and a performance by Crocus 80 Theatre of Ed Willett’s comedy Circle the Crops.

Frenchman River Gospel Jam

Shaunavon

Aug. 2-4

frgj.ca

Offers a blend of gospel and country music. Feature acts include George Canyon, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

World Bunnock Championship

Macklin

Aug. 2-4

306-753-2256

If you’ve never heard of bunnock before, it’s a traditional German-Russian game played with horse ankle bones.

Summer Slam

Raymore

Aug. 2-4

www.raymoresummerslam.com

Features music, a slo-pitch tournament and beer garden.

Mid-Summer Arts Festival

Fort Qu’Appelle

Aug. 3

306-332-1366

Includes visual and performing arts, along with children’s activities.

Living Skies Come Alive

Moosimin

Aug. 3-4

306-435-7914

Fireworks competition in conjunction with Family Day activities.

Threshermen’s Show & Seniors’ Festival

Yorkton

Aug. 3-4

www.wdm.ca/yk/threshermensshow.htm

Includes threshing and stoking demonstrations, along with an antique car show.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Edenwold

Aug. 6-24

www.prairieskiessk.com

Summer musical presented by Prairie Skies Theatre.

Saskatchewan Premiere’s Walleye Cup

Nipawin

Aug. 8-10

306-862-5302

Not sure if Premier Wall will be in attendance, but plenty of avid fisherfolk will be.

Summer Star Party

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Aug. 8-11

www.usask,ca/rasc/starparty

Hosted by the Regina and Saskatoon branches of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Polkafest

St. Walburg

Aug. 10

306-348-3478

Features two bands and air-conditioned dance facility.

North West Territorial Days

Battleford

Aug. 12-16

www.agsociety.com

Includes a parade and fair along with a host of agricultural activities.

Northern Lights Bluegrass & Old Tyme Music and Festival

Big River

Aug. 12-18

northernlightsbluegrass.ca

Includes a music camp Aug. 12-16, followed by a three day festival featuring the Whitetop Mountain Band, the get Down Boys, Buffalo Narrows and Binder Twine & the Balers.

Western Canadian Championships

Mankota

Aug. 15-18

306-478-2292

Teams of handlers and border collies compete for western Canadian bragging rights.

Arts Frenzy

Regina Beach

Aug. 17

306-539-8873

Includes arts and crafts, live music and buskers

Light Horse Show

Maple Creek

Aug. 17-18

306-662-3986

All breed horse show and gymkhana.

Cherry Day

Bruno

Aug. 18

www.cherryfestival.ca

Special day devoted to all things cherry — except for CBC hockey analyst Don Cherry.

Taste of Waskesiu

Prince Albert National Park

Aug. 22-23

306-663-5410

Includes a fundraising dinner, silent auction and live entertainment.

Polkafest

Prince Albert

Aug. 23-25

306-764-1711

Features four bands and 17 hours of dancing over three days.

Blueberry Festival

St. Walburg

Aug. 24

306-248-3551

Special day devoted to all things blueberry.

Wood Mountain Folk Festival

Wood Mountain

Aug. 24

Feature performers include Poco, Jeans Boots and Anderson/Burko, along with an on-site farmers’ market.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend

Manitou Beach

Aug. 30-31

www.danceland.ca

Groove to the music of the ’50s and ’60s at Danceland.

Duck Derby

Lumsden

Sept. 2

www.duckderby.ca

Family friendly day of activities capped off by a rubber duck race.

POWWOW & RELATED EVENTS

Canada Day Celebration

July 1

Batoche National Historic Site

www.pc.gc.ca/batoche

Selected by Louis Riel as the site of a provisional government in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion/Resistance, Batoche was also the location of the last battle in that conflict.

Kahkewistahaw First Nation Powwow

Broadview

July 14

www.kahkewistahaw.com

Peepeekisis First Nation Powwow

Balcarres

July 16-18

306-334-2573

Back to Batoche

Batoche

July 18-21

www.backtobatoche.org

Annual celebration of Metis culture held at a site of historic significance for Metis and First Nations people.

Carry the Kettle First Nation Powwow

Sintaluta

July 19-21

306-727-2135

Onion Lake Powwow

Near Lloydminster

July 19-21

www.onionlake.ca

Standing Buffalo Powwow

Fort Qu’Appelle

Aug. 9-11

306-332-4685

Cowessess Traditional Powwow

Broadview

Aug. 13-15

306-696-3324

Piapot Traditional Powwow

Aug. 16-18

306-781-4848

Ochapowace First Nations Powwow

Whitewood

Aug. 23-25

306-696-3160

 2013-06-27