Plan your summer with this event calendar for Regina, Saskatoon and the Hinterland
HOT SUMMER GUIDE by Gregory Beatty
Just like SaskTel with its 4G network, we’ve got you covered pretty much anywhere you might roam in Saskatchewan for your holidays and weekend getaways this summer, from Regina and Saskatoon to dozens of locales in the Hinterland.
You can find out more information on all the events we have listed here, plus many more, by visiting the Tourism Regina, Tourism Saskatoon and Tourism Saskatchewan websites.
REGINA
Regina Afrofest
July 3-4
reginaafrofest.com
Summer festival season in the Queen City kicks off with this celebration of our diverse African cultures. Food, arts, crafts, entertainment, workshops and more are planned for City Square Plaza and Victoria Park. Performers include Adam Solomon & Tikisa Band, Casimiro Nhussi & NAfro Band, Rhythm Run, Oral Fuentes Reggae Band and Afro Ngoma Dancers.
Regina International Fringe Festival
July 8-12
reginafringe.com
The RIFF celebrates its 11th anniversary in 2015. As usual, a mix of provincial, national and international acts have been booked to perform. In the last category, Regina will welcome theatre artists from the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and South Africa. Four of the five venues are located in picturesque Cathedral Village, while the MacKenzie Gallery is in south-central Regina. There’s also a special day devoted to kids’ fringe on July 11 at the MacKenzie Gallery.
Craven Country Jamboree
July 9-12
cravencountryjamboree.com
Plenty of people are cravin’ the opportunity to hit Craven for the 2015 jamboree, I bet. Even if country music isn’t your thing, there’s no shortage of other fun pastimes to keep you occupied including poetry-readings, geo-caching, nude yoga, philosophy lectures and… Relax, I’m kidding! Headline acts are Dallas Smith and Florida Georgia Line (Friday), Craig Morgan and Blake Shelton (Saturday) and Colt Ford and Jason Aldean (Sunday).
Secret Gardens Tour
July 10-12
secretgardenstour.ca
This 18th annual New Dance Horizons fundraiser is presented in partnership with Wascana Centre and WP Gardens, and features self-directed day and evening garden tours and dance performances on the theme of Trees. In addition to the ticketed tour, there’s a free performance of Rapunzel & the Tiny Trees that NDH is presenting in partnership with the Dunlop Gallery on July 8. It will be held in Central Library’s Sunken Garden from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Trial of Louis Riel
July 15-17, July 22-24, July 29-31
rielcoproductions.com
Even today, Métis leader Louis Riel is a controversial figure. Some people regard him as a traitor for the role he played in the Northwest Rebellion/Resistance in 1885. Many others, though, see him as a champion of indigenous rights in the colonial era. This play, which will be performed at the MacKenzie Gallery, is based on court transcripts from his trial on treason charges.
Queen City Ex
July 29-Aug. 2
thequeencityex.com
As with last year, the QCX begins with an evening parade on July 28 followed by fireworks at Wascana Centre. Grandstand headliners are MAGIC! (July 29), The Road Hammers (July 30), Gin Blossoms (July 31), Daughtry (Aug. 1) and Shawn Mendes (Aug. 2). In addition to the midway, attractions include Saskatchewan Express Minis & Expressions, Sinbad High Dive Show, Fishing Friendzy, Thomas & Friends, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo and the RCMP Musical Ride on July 31-Aug. 2 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Connect Festival
Besant Campground (West on #1 Hwy near Moose Jaw.)
July 31-Aug. 3
connectfestival.ca
This annual electronic music-fest celebrates its 20th year in 2015. Commuting is probably an option, but a lot of people who go prefer to camp out for the long weekend, which makes for a great festival vibe. Feature acts this year include Kytami, Greg Eversoul, Neurodriver, Factor, Def 3, Misstress Barbara, Charley Hustle and more.
Regina Folk Festival
Aug. 7-9
reginafolkfestival.com
Always a highlight of summer, this festival takes place in cozy Victoria Park and nearby City Square Plaza. In addition to the ticketed main stage shows at night, there’s after parties at the Wa Wa Shriners Hall (2065 Hamilton St.) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and free daytime concerts and workshops on Saturday and Sunday. Look for our official program guide in the July 23 Prairie Dog. Feature acts include Sinead O’Connor, Vance Joy, Blue Rodeo, Jenny Lewis, the Sheepdogs and Basia Bulat.
SaskTel Summer Invasion
Aug. 28-29
summerinvasion.ca
This two-day festival features free Xtreme sports competitions (skateboarding, wakeboarding motocross, etc) during the day in Wascana Centre and ticketed concerts at night. Last year, a deluge forced the Saturday concert indoors. Hopefully, the rain stays away this year. Headliners on Friday include Lil Jon DJ set, while on Saturday Lights and Dear Rouge are playing. If you act now, early bird passes are $49.
Symphony Under The Sky
Aug. 29
reginasymphony.com
The RSO is switching things up this year. Instead of holding their season kickoff in Wascana Centre, this concert will be at Motherwell Homestead, which is located an hour NE of Regina near Abernathy. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. there will be family fun tied to pioneer activities and the Field to Fork Festival, then from 2-4 p.m. the RSO will perform. Parks Canada admission charges apply: $10 single, $35 family, kids five and under free. And the show goes rain or shine.
Regina Dragon Boat Festival
Sept. 4-5
reginadragonboat.com
Teams of rowers representing local businesses and organizations dream up wacky names for themselves then compete for supremacy on mighty Wascana Lake. This festival is a long-standing Labour Day weekend tradition, and includes a mix of competitive and fun racing, live music, food, and other cultural entertainment.
SASKATOON
SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
June 25-July 5
saskjazz.com
Includes a mix of ticketed and free shows at various outdoor and indoor venues in the Bridge City. Jazz is the central musical genre, but rock, hip hop and blues are well represented too. Feature performers include the New Pornographers, Wyclef Jean, Michael Franti, Erykah Badu, the Roots, Colin James, Lights and Matt Andersen along with a number of Saskatchewan acts in support roles.
SIGA Dakota Dunes Open
June 29-July 5
dakotadunesopen.com
One of 12 stops on the PGA Tour Canada schedule, with golfers competing for $150,000 in prize money and otherwise striving to improve their games sufficiently so that one day they might qualify for the holy grail of golf — the PGA Tour itself.
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan
July 8-Aug. 23
shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com
The comedy Much Ado About Nothing and drama Othello are being performed. Both SOS productions offer a twist on the conventional Shakespeare version, with the former set in the post-WWII period while in the latter the title character is a successful First Nations businessman who must deal with racism and betrayal. Tickets range from $11-$35, and the festival site also includes an Elizabethan Village and Sir Toby’s Tavern and Riverside Deck.
Reggae & World Music Festival
July 11
saskatoonreggaefestival.com
The 2015 festival is being held at A.E. Graham Park which is by Victoria School in the Broadway district. Acts confirmed include Jim Balfour and the Outer Rings, Sambatoon, Oral Fuentes Reggae Band, First Nations hoop dancer Terrance Littletent and Supaman. There’s also music and dance workshops, and offspring 12 and under are admitted free. So it’s a great opportunity for family fun.
Pion-Era
July 11-12
wdm.ca
Hosted by the Western Development Museum, this annual celebration of Saskatchewan’s pioneer past features a host of family-friendly activities including a vintage fashion show, ice cream making/butter churning, a calliope, costumed interpreters reenacting Boomtown, the Story of Threshing, a Parade of Power and more.
Canada Remembers Our Heroes
July 11-12
canadaremembersourheroes.com
Held at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, this air show commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, and includes appearances by the Snowbirds, Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team and the CF-18 Hornets.
A Taste of Saskatchewan
July 14-19
tasteofsaskatchewan.ca
Whet your appetite for food and music at this festival which is held each year at Kiwanis Memorial Park. Featured will be gourmet food from over 30 Saskatoon restaurants and local food producers along with dozens of Saskatchewan bands spanning the musical spectrum from country and pop to folk, rock and reggae. So there will be plenty of things to sink your teeth, and ears, into.
Velocity Prairie Thunder
July 14-15
autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca
Part of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Race Series, this two-day event will feature some of the top drivers in Canada, along with some local talent from the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association. Different classes of vehicles will race on the 1/3 mile paved oval track, and there will be other entertainment.
Saskatoon Dragon Boat Festival
July 24-25
dragonboatsk.ca
Over 1100 rowers take to the South Saskatchewan River in 22-member teams to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation by paddling their posteriors off. Also includes a variety of cultural and social activities.
PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival
July 30-Aug. 8
25thstreettheatre.org
In 2014, this festival marked its 25th anniversary. Now that silver is out of the way, it’s on to gold, which will happen in 2039. Before then, of course, the festival will host plenty of great fringe theatre. This year’s festival features over 30 acts drawn from Saskatchewan, Canada and around the world, along with the usual assortment of buskers and arts and craft vendors on Broadway Ave.
Zombie Apocalypse: Run For Your Life
July 31
newbalancesaskatoon.ca
A five-km run with a twist: a ZOMBIE twist! Participants set out to retrieve an anti-virus to save the city, only to be menaced by parkour zombies who not only can run fast but know all sorts of tricks and shortcuts to hunt people down and eat their brains.
Saskatoon RibFest
July 31-Aug. 3
saskatoonribfest.com
Anyone can marinate a hunk of meat, throw it on the grill, slather on some sauce and serve up a semi-respectable meal. But there’s more to the art of ’cuing than that. With this festival you’ll have an opportunity to sample some truly delectable fare produced by BBQ masters. Throw in children’s activities such as a petting zoo and bouncy castle, along with some smokin’ live music, and it all adds up to a sweet time.
Saskatoon Exhibition
Aug. 4-9
saskatoonexhibition.ca
Midway? Check. Carney games? Yup. A whole pile of tasty, albeit nutritionally deficient, snacks? You bet! There’s also a Saskatchewan Art Showcase, the Superdogs, XPogo Stunt Team, the Rise to Fame Talent Search, nightly fireworks, and a whole lot more. On the grandstand side, acts include Marianas Trench (Aug. 4), MAGIC! (Aug. 5), Hedley (Aug. 6), Dean Brody (Aug. 7), Burton Cummings and the Band (Aug. 8) and Sons of the Pioneers (Aug. 9).
FolkFest 2015
Aug. 13-15
saskatoonfolkfest.ca
With an influx of newcomers from all over the world in the last decade or so, Saskatchewan’s multicultural reality isn’t just limited to weekend festivals — it’s on display year-round. Still, FolkFest offers a great opportunity to sample food, music, dance and bevies from different countries. It’s not quite an A to Z representation, but it’s close, as pavilions range from Bangladesh to Ukrainian Karpaty, along with the RBC Global Village.
John Arcand Fiddle Fest
Aug. 13-16
johnarcandfiddlefest.com
Located 10 km SW of Saskatoon at Windy Acres, this festival includes a mix of workshops, concerts, contests and Métis dance and craft activities along with special children’s programming. There’s free un-serviced camping on site, and a weekend pass is $60, with day passes $25 and children 12 and under free.
Show & Shine Festival
Aug. 21-23
ssw.102rocks.com
Billed as western Canada’s largest classic car show, this weekend festival also includes performances by classic rock acts such as April Wine, Chilliwack, Kenny Shields & Streetheart, Carol Pope and Doucette.
Ukrainian Day In The Park
Aug. 22
ucc-saskatoon.org
Annual celebration of Ukrainian culture hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Held in Victoria Park, this event includes stage performances, children’s activities, food, a beer garden and more.
PotashCorp Fireworks Festival
Sept. 4-5
potashcorpfireworksfestival.com
“Creating magical moments” is the tagline for this festival, which features two evenings of fireworks choreographed to music. The displays take place at the River Landing Amphitheatre and Rotary Park, and each evening includes live entertainment (music, dance, etc) along with other activities for children and adults.
HINTERLAND
Frontier Days
Swift Current
June 25-28
swiftcurrentex.com
Features an old-tyme country fair, midway and professional rodeo. On Saturday, there’s music by Chilliwack and Tim Hicks, while on Sunday Link Union and Lonestar play.
Saskatoonberry Festival
Mortlach
June 27
mortlach.ca
With the early spring and generally warm weather we’ve had so far this summer, the province’s wild fruit crop should be in fine form. So if you agree with the sentiment of organizers of this day-long festival that “over 3000 people with purple teeth can’t be wrong”, you’ll want to check it out and partake of all sorts of saskatoony goodness.
Great Saskatchewan Bacon Festival
Kipling
June 27
baconfestival.ca
Celebration of all things bacon — okay, probably not all things bacon because, I mean, that could get kind of crazy in a weird/gross way. But you will be able to sample such delicacies as bacon jam, bacon cheesecake, bacon soup and beef bacon.
Art Guild Show & Sale
Regina Beach
June 27-July 26
lastmountainlakeculturalcentre.ca
Month-long exhibition and sale of paintings by the South Shore Art Guild.
Claybank Heritage Day
Claybank (50 min. SW of Regina)
June 28
claybankbrick.ca
Built in 1914, the Claybank Brick Plant is a national historic site. When you visit, you’ll learn about all the steps required to make bricks from clay. Hell, they might even give you a shovel and put you to work in the clay pit for a couple of hours — kidding!! You will get a tour of the pit and factory though, plus an opportunity to bake bread in an outdoor brick oven.
100 Mile Mall
Highway #1
July 1
townofwhitewood.ca
For Canada Day, the communities of Broadview, Grenfell, Sintaluta, Whitewood and Wolseley are joining forces to present an arts, craft and antique show and sale, along with a flea market.
Motherwell Homestead
Abernathy
July 1
pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/motherwell
Built in 1882, this homestead about an hour NE of Regina includes a stone house and classic red wood barn. Now a national historic site, the restored homestead offers visitors a chance to learn about farm life in pioneer times.
All Folk’d Up
Montmarte
July 3-5
allfolkedup.net
This three-day family-friendly festival features a variety of Francophone and English acts. Some of the performers this year include your pick for Best Regina Band in Prairie Dog’s Best of Regina 2014 contest, the Dead South, along with Eli Barsi, Jim Galloway and Anderson Burko.
Carleton Trail Jamboree
Rabbit Lake
July 3-5
carletontrailjamboree.com
Set in a natural amphitheatre, this festival has a country music focus. Headliners include classic country rockers the Stampeders, along with Codie Prevost, Darlene Tuleta, Brett Kisell, Brody Sibert & the Thirty Aught Six.
Fireside Chats, Stories & S’More
Grasslands National Park
July 3-Aug. 28
parkscanada.gc.ca/grasslands
Friday evenings throughout the summer, the Frenchman Valley and Rock Creek campgrounds will host special family activities such as geo-caching, kayaking and black-footed ferret-spotting. On July 25 there’s a Sleep Under the Stars party that features an outdoor concert.
Moosomin & District Rodeo
Moosomin
July 3-5
moosomin.com
It’s probably too late to switch this year, but if organizers want to make this event standout on Saskatchewan’s crowded rodeo calendar they should riff on their town’s name and sub in moose for all the livestock in a typical rodeo. Instead of bronco-busting, for instance, there could be moose-busting. And steer wrestling would become moose wrestling. Throw in a bunch of moose-themed souvenirs and you’d have a hit on your hands fer sure.
RCMP Musical Ride
July 3-Aug. 2
rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/tour-eng.htm
The famed equine attraction will be making a swing through Saskatchewan in July. Stops include Yorkton (July 3-4), Kelvington (July 5), Esterhazy (July 6), Lloydminster (July 8-10), Battleford (July 13), Wilkie (July 14), Coronach (July 16), Moose Jaw (July 18-19), Fort Walsh (July 21), Watrous (July 23), Saskatoon (July 25-26), Wawota (July 28) and Regina (July 31-Aug. 2).
Dirty Donkey Mud Run
Blackstrap Provincial Park
July 4
dirtydonkeyrun.com
Unlike the RCMP Musical Ride, I don’t think this event incorporates any actual animals —outside of the humans who set out in teams to conquer a muddy obstacle course. Then they rinse off (or not) for an after-party.
The Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail
Manitou Beach
July 4-5
spiritofmanitou.ca
Artisans from Manitou Beach, Meachem, Watrous and the Viscount area open their studios to display handmade furniture, jewelry, ceramics, fabric art and more.
Love Gospel Jamboree
Love
July 4-6
306-276-2579
The line-up for the 28th annual gospel music festival was still being nailed down when we went to press. But I’m sure it will be righteous.
Doukhobor Dugout House
Blaine Lake
July 4-25
doukhobordugouthouse.com
At this national historic site, costumed interpreters recount the settlement history of Russian Doukhobors in Saskatchewan and offer guided tours every Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Old Home Week
Preeceville
July 5-12
townofpreeceville.ca
Includes art, a series of afternoon lunches, a bread-baking demo at the Preeceville & District Heritage Museum, all topped off by a rodeo and related activities July 11-12.
Colonial Days Fair
Lloydminster
July 8-11
lloydexh.com
Includes chuckwagon races, a demolition derby, livestock events, grandstand concerts and more.
Summer Chautauqua Festival
Swift Current
July 9-12
lyrictheatre.ca
Annual festival devoted to recreating the atmosphere of travelling shows from the 1920s that entertained prairie communities with music, theatre, stories and lectures in the vaudeville tradition.
Station Arts Centre
Rosthern
July 10-Aug. 9
stationarts.com
This summer’s production is the barnyard comedy Chickens. There are performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and matinees Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m. A pre-show lunch and dinner are available, but to arrange for that you need to book in advance. Are there live chickens in the musical, you ask? I don’t know. But chicken is on the dinner menu, so if there are they better not pull any diva bullshit, because if they do…
PolkaFest 2015
Hafford
July 10-12
hafford.ca
One of a number of polka blowouts that are held throughout Saskatchewan in the summer. Bands this year are the Hamps and Phoenix.
Motif Multicultural Festival
Moose Jaw
July 10-12
mjmcnic.ca
Similar to Mosaic in Regina and FolkFest in Saskatoon, this festival is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity in the Band City. Motif is hosted by the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, and is held in Happy Valley Park. Music, food, dance and drink are all on the itinerary.
Ness Creek Music Festival
Big River
July 16-19
nesscreek.com
Saskatchewan’s original eco-friendly festival offers a great chance to commune with nature in the boreal forest with thousands of music fans. It’s always a good time, and this year will be extra special as the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Feature acts include Buck 65, Bocephus King Orchestra Familia, Bombolessé — and even some acts whose names don’t start with “B”, such as Slocan Ramblers, the Moondoggies and Los Texmaniacs. Both weekend and day passes are available.
Saskatchewan Festival of Words
Moose Jaw
July 16-19
festivalofwords.com
Annual celebration of the written and spoken word. Includes a mix of poetry, fiction and non-fiction presenters, along with film screenings, musical performances and workshops geared to children and adults. Presenters this year include Guy Vanderhaeghe, Moe Clark, Lisa Bird-Wilson, Andrew Pyper, Andy Shauf, and Sean Michaels, who scooped the 2014 Scotiabank Giller Prize last November for his novel Us Conductors.
Heritage Festival
Maple Creek
July 17
maplecreek.ca
Includes a farmers’ market, museum and gallery open houses, antique vehicles, a rodeo and dance.
PolkaFest
Assiniboia
July 17-18
306-642-5676
Another of the aforementioned polka blowouts. Music for this one is provided by Leon Ochs and Len Gadica. And Aberdeen is hosting a PolkaFest the following weekend (July 24-25) with music by Phoenix, Ralph Rhythm Kings and Hamp’s Band.
Railway Days
Melville
July 17-18
melville.ca
Annual festival recalling the importance of the railway to Melville. Includes a street dance, fireworks, and events at the Railway Museum, which features an old station from the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad along with some antique locomotives, rail cars and cabooses.
Sandy Creek Gospel Jamboree
Mortlach
July 17-19
scgj.org
Get your gospel groove on with acts such as Jay Stone Singers, Spoken 4, Sweet (no, not the British glam-rockers of “Ballroom Blitz” fame — this is a bluegrass group), Heartsong and more.
Homesteader Hey Days
Shell Lake
July 17-19
306-427-2272
Dance, gymkhana, parade, pancake breakfast and fresh-baked bread from outdoor clay ovens are just some of the highlights.
Annual Fair
St. Walburg
July 17-19
stwalburg.com
Includes a parade, chuckwagon races, a ball tournament, dance and a good old fashioned rock ’em sock ’em demolition derby.
Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival
Battleford
July 17-19
saskcraftcouncil.org
Organized by the Saskatchewan Craft Council, this market celebrates its 42nd anniversary in 2015. It features over 30 vendors selling pottery, handmade jewellery, woodwork, visual art and more
Children’s Festival
Waskesiu
July 18
waskesiulake.ca
Action-packed day of child-friendly activities at Prince Albert National Park. So good luck to all the parents and caregivers who plan on attending with their charges.
Fort Fest 15
The Battlefords
July 18
pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/sk/battleford
Held at Fort Battleford National Historic Site, includes antique weapons demonstrations, disc golf and a bouncy castle. Held as part of Canada Parks Day, which sees special events planned for many federal and provincial parks.
Brightsand Lake Regional Park 50th Anniversary
St. Walberg
July 18-19
saskregionalparks.ca
Founded in 1965, this 160-acre park is celebrating its golden anniversary with a slo-pitch tournament, children’s activities and more.
Vintage Power Machines
Prince Albert
July 18-19
306-980-8340
Includes demonstrations of threshing, log-sawing, blacksmithing, vintage tractor pulls and heavy horses.
Canora in Bloom
Canora
July 19-25
canora.com
Get your blossom on and watch the pollinators in action at this annual celebration of floral beauty. Includes a street dance, children’s carnival and evening garden tour.
Gateway Festival
Bengough
July 24-26
gatewayfestival.com
Located near the Big Muddy Badlands, Gateway marks its 11th anniversary in 2015. Line-up highlights include the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Joel Plaskett with the Emergency, Rah Rah, the Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer, Library Voices, John K. Sampson and Hayden. Advance adult and youth weekend passes are on until July 23 for $90 and $55. Children 12 and under admitted free.
International Street Performer Festival
North Battleford
July 24-26
nbstreetfest.com
Clowns, acrobats, musicians, face painters, balloon sculptors, magicians and more will take to the streets of North Battleford to delight and entertain children and adults alike, whereupon they will hopefully be rewarded with a shower of coins in the busker tradition.
Dino Days
Eastend
July 24-26
dinocountry.com
This annual celebration of all things dino offers a perfect chance to check out the T-Rex Discovery Centre. It’s home to Scotty — one of the largest and most complete T. rex skeletons in the world. There’s also golf, curling and a cabaret.
12-40 & Beyond: An Adventure in Rural Life
Blaine Lake
July 25-26
12-40andbeyond.com
Self-guided tour of the Blaine Lake, Marcelin, Leask and Hafford area, includes stops at orchards, artist studios, antique museums and a blacksmith shop.
DroneFest
Gull Lake
July 25-26
gldronefest.com
First annual festival devoted to the remote control flying machines that seem destined to soon be as ubiquitous as mosquitoes in Saskatchewan skies. Both recreational and commercial users of drones will showcase their skills.
Brickspo
Moose Jaw
July 26-27
wdm.ca
Hosted by the Western Development Museum and SLUG (Saskatchewan LEGO Users Group), this fourth annual event showcases LEGO creations both large and small on various themes such as transportation, architecture and animals.
Summer Fair
Prince Albert
July 28-Aug. 1
paexhibition.com
Includes livestock shows, a midway, grandstand performances, craft and photography exhibits.
Anne and Gilbert — The Musical
Moose Jaw
July 28-Aug. 16
rubarb.ca
A musical based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novels with a special focus on the interaction of the title character Anne Shirley and her nemesis/love interest Gilbert Blythe. Presented by RuBarb Productions and performed at historic Mae Wilson Theatre.
Old Wives Lake Festival
Mossbank
July 31-Aug. 2
mossbank.ca
During this festival, which is located on the shores of a lake that, if memory serves, pretty much dried up during the drought we had in the late 1980s, the town of Mossbank will also celebrate its centennial. A slo-pitch tournament, fireworks and a family history exhibit are some of the events planned.
Frenchman River Gospel Jam
Shaunavon
July 31-Aug. 2
frgj.ca
Offers a blend of gospel and country music, with ticketed evening shows and free daytime stages. Featured acts include Diamond Rio, High Valley, Carey Dyer, Catherine Lewans and the Amundruds. Evening and weekend passes available.
World Bunnock Championship
Macklin
July 31-Aug. 2
306-753-2256
It’s a mystery to me why bunnock has never caught on as a major sport. It’s a traditional German-Russian game played with horse ankle bones, where teams take turns trying to knock down the opponent’s upright bones. From where I sit, it’s got elements of curling, cricket, bowling, horseshoes and more. Yet all organizers could scrape together for this tournament was $40,000 in prize money. Go figure.
Borealis Music Festival
Prince Albert
July 31-Aug. 2
borealismusicfestival.com
This is the first go-round for this festival, which will be held at Kinsmen Park on the August long weekend. Performers include the Dead South, Mario LePage, Andino Suns and Until Red.
Summer Slam
Raymore
July 31-Aug. 2
raymoresummerslam.com
Three-day music festival and slo-pitch tournament. Headliners on the music side include the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Fox Worthee, Harlequin and the Vern Michaels Band.
Mid-Summer’s Art Festival
Fort Qu’Appelle
Aug. 1
306-332-1366
Outdoor festival held at “the Fort”, includes visual and performing arts, along with children’s activities and buskers.
Living Skies Come Alive
Moosomin
Aug. 1-2
306-435-3531
Held on Saskatchewan Day weekend, this two-day event features a fireworks competition, children’s activities and other entertainment.
Threshermen’s Show & Seniors’ Festival
Yorkton
Aug. 1-2
wdm.ca/yk/threshermensshow.htm
Hosted by the Western Development Museum and other partners, this festival includes threshing, stooking and sawmill demos, along with an antique car show and gas tractor competition.
Cannington Manor Fair Day
Moose Mountain Provincial Park
Aug. 2
Held at an historic homestead in south-east Saskatchewan where English aristocrats sought (and failed spectacularly) to recreate old Blighty with fox hunts, croquet, cricket and other Victorian-era pastimes. This event includes horse and buggy rides, skeet shooting, blacksmithing demonstrations and a picnic.
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Edenwold
Aug. 4-22
prairieskiessk.com
Musical version of the classic parody of the King Arthur legend of Camelot. Presented by Prairie Skies Theatre. Tickets are $30 adults, students $25, youth 6-12 $20, and kids under five free. A fowl supper is also offered on select nights.
Saskatchewan Premier’s Walleye Cup
Nipawin
Aug. 6-8
306-862-5302
This is the longest-running fishing tournament in Saskatchewan. It’s been going for 28 years, and around 160 teams are expected to compete for over $125,000 in prizes. We’re not sure if the tourney’s namesake will be there, but for the sake of the fisherfolk, hopefully the walleye will be biting.
Grilledcheeseapalooza
Kindersley
Aug. 7-8
gcpmusicfest.com
Two-day festival featuring two staples of prairie culture: rock ’n’ roll and grilled cheese sandwiches… oh, and booze too. So make that three staples of prairie culture. Featured acts include One Bad Son, High Kicks, the Basement Paintings, Classy Chassis and We Were Lovers.
Heritage Village Days
Weyburn
Aug. 7-8
weyburn.ca
Two-day event commemorating the history of Weyburn and area, includes guided tours of a heritage village along with blacksmithing, ice cream/butter-making and sheep herding demonstrations.
Cochin Days
Cochin
Aug. 7-9
cochin.ca
Hosted by the resort community of Cochin near the Battlefords, which is nestled between Murray Lake and Jackfish Lake, this festival includes slo-pitch, beach volleyball and horse shoe tournaments, along with a spaghetti-eating contest.
Dog Patch Music Festival
Loon Lake
Aug. 7-9
dogpatchmusicfestival.com
Get your loon on at this art and music fest in a forest setting. Musical guests include Lorrie Church, the Big River Boys, McCuaig, Theresa Sokyrka and Mahoney.
Historic Trades Day
Fort Walsh National Historic Site
Aug. 8
pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/walsh
Victorian and Edwardian-era military drills by the RCMP, the NWMP Commemorative Association and Southern Alberta Horse Artillery, along with blacksmith, farrier, wheelwright and gunsmith demonstrations, and a Métis cabin and First Nations teepee.
Sizzling Summer Festival
North Battleford
Aug. 8-9
wdm.ca
Hosted by the North Battleford Western Development Museum, this event celebrates pioneer life in the 1920s with vintage autos, light and heavy horse demonstrations, antique farm equipment and more.
Northern Lights Bluegrass & Old Tyme Music Festival
Big River
Aug. 10-14
northernlightsbluegrass.ca
Includes a music camp with instruction in fiddle, banjo, upright bass and other instruments along with a three-day music festival featuring the Goodbye Girls, the Modern Grass, Steph Cameron and the Caleb Klauder Country Band.
North West Territorial Days
The Battlefords
Aug. 11-14
agsociety.com
Hosted by the Battlefords Agricultural Society, this fair, in one form or another, has been held since 1887. Features plenty of non-agriculture related activities too, including a midway, grandstand entertainment, a petting zoo and a demolition derby.
Summer Star Party
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Aug. 13-16
usask.ca/rasc/starparty
Hosted by the Regina and Saskatoon branches of the Royal Astronomical Society, this annual event offers a great opportunity for aspiring and veteran astronomers to observe the night sky under great conditions with zero light pollution and less atmospheric distortion than at lower elevations.
Arts Frenzy
Regina Beach
Aug. 15
rudysreginabeach.com
Includes arts and crafts, live music, buskers and random outbursts of frenetic arts activity on the beach.
Light Horse Show
Maple Creek
Aug. 15-16
306-662-3986
Two-day all breeds horse show and gymkhana — which is an equestrian event that involves speed pattern racing and timed games such barrel racing and pole bending.
Cherry Sunday
Bruno
Aug. 16
cherryfestival.ca
Last year, the late spring and generally wet summer meant slim pickings at this festival devoted to all things cherry. This year growing conditions have been much better, so if you attend you should be able to sample all sorts of cherry treats from sundaes to cherry-flavoured BBQ smokies. Yum!
Beach Bash
Estevan
Aug. 15
estevanchamber.ca
Held at Woodlawn Provincial Park, this event includes all sorts of beach activities and water sports, along with live bands and a sand castle competition.
Badlands Blast
Grasslands National Park
Aug. 15
306-298-2257
Family friendly day of activities including a fossil dig, wagon rides and an evening campfire and hoedown.
Danceland Presents The Emeralds
Manitou Beach
Aug. 21-22
danceland.ca
If you’ve checked out the David Thauberger retrospective Roadside Attractions at the MacKenzie Art Gallery (on until Sept. 6), you’ve seen his iconic representation of Danceland. Now visit in person, and polka your ass off at this annual dance party.
Blueberry Festival
St. Walburg
Aug. 22
stwalburg.com
Special day devoted to all things blueberry, including wild and tame varieties, along with a street fair and live entertainment.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend
Manitou Beach
Sept. 4-5
danceland.ca
Groove to the music of the 1950s and ’60s on the famed horse-hair-supported floor at Danceland.
Duck Derby
Lumsden
Sept. 7
duckderby.ca
Family friendly celebration includes a parade, arts and craft sale, children’s activities and 20,000 brightly coloured rubber ducks being dropped into the Qu’Appelle River, where the current carries them downstream in a one-km race with prizes awarded to the top finishers.
POWWOW & RELATED EVENTS
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
June 25-28
Onion Lake First Nation
cpcaracing.com
Races are held on a 5/8 mile track with a covered grandstand. At stake is over $150,000 in prize money.
Canada Day Celebration
July 1
Batoche National Historic Site
pc.gc.ca/batoche
Selected by Louis Riel as the site of a provisional government in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion/Resistance, Batoche was also where the conflict’s last battle occurred. Visitors can learn more about that troubled time in our history through costumed guides, tours and special exhibits.
Canada Day Celebration
Duck Lake Interpretive Centre
July 1
dlric.org
Duck Lake also played an important role in the Northwest Rebellion/Resistance. It’s part of the Trails of 1885 initiative (see trailsof1885.com), and features a museum, art gallery, bilingual tours, and a guided tour of murals in Duck Lake.
Gold Eagle Casino Powwow
North Battleford
July 7-9
goldeaglecasino.ca
Kahkewistahaw First Nation Powwow
Broadview
July 10-12
kahkewistahaw.com
Over 500 dancers from across North America compete for $60,000 in prize money.
James Smith Cree Nation Powwow
Near Prince Albert
July 10-12
jamessmithcreenation.com
Poundmaker Cree Nation Powwow
Near Cut Knife
July 14-16
poundmakercn.ca
Back to Batoche Days
Batoche
July 16-19
backtobatoche.org
For over 50 years members of the Métis community have gathered at Batoche to celebrate their culture and history. This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Riel Resistance/Rebellion of 1885. As well, there will be all sorts of traditional games and entertainment from fiddling and jigging to square-dancing and old-time dancing. An adult weekend pass is $50, $35 for students & seniors, with war veterans and kids 12 and under free.
One Arrow First Nation Powwow
Bellevue
July 17-19
306- 423-5493
Onion Lake Cree Nation Powwow
Onion Lake Cree Nation
July 17-19
onionlake.ca
Ochapowace Cree Nation Powwow
Ochapowace
July 24-26
ochapowace.com
Carry the Kettle First Nation Powwow
Sintaluta
July 27-29
306-727-2135
Muskoday First Nation Powwow
Muskoday
July 31-Aug 2
muskodayfn.ca
Dakota Dunes Casino Powwow
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Aug. 4-6
See Facebook page
Includes drum, dancing, singing contests in different age categories along with lil’ warrior and princess pageants.
Standing Buffalo Powwow
Qu’Appelle
Aug. 7-9
306-332-4685
One of the oldest and largest powwows in North America. Also includes food and craft displays, along with a “buffalo feed” on Sunday.
Cowessess Traditional Powwow
Broadview
Aug. 11-13
cowessessfn.com
Piapot First Nation Traditional Powwow
Piapot
Aug. 14-16
306-781-4848
FSIN Adult Fastball Championship
Whitecap First Nation
Aug. 21-23
306-829-2069
Teams compete from across the province.
Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation Powwow
Duck Lake
Aug. 21-23
bofn9697.com
George Gordon First Nation Powwow
Punnichy
Aug. 21-23
1-877-835-2232 (Toll Free)
Potash Corp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebrations & Powwow
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Aug. 26
Family-friendly celebration of plains First Nation culture and history.
Flying Dust First Nation Powwow
Meadow Lake
Aug. 28-30
flyingdust.net
