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