Dauphin’s Countryfest deemed a ‘huge success’

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This article was published 30/06/2025 (280 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dauphin’s Countryfest, one of Canada’s longest-running country music festivals, wrapped up its 2025 edition on Sunday with strong attendance and upbeat performances.

Running from June 26 to 29, the four-day event drew over 6,000 people daily, with Sunday’s turnout expected to peak near 7,000, thanks to a well-received throwback lineup.

This year’s Countryfest is one of the smoothest in recent memory, thanks to excellent weather and enthusiastic crowds throughout the weekend, board president Duane McMaster told the Sun on Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve had a really great festival this year,” he said. “It may not be the biggest crowd we’ve ever had, but the atmosphere, organization, and crowd response have been amazing. I would say this event was a huge success.”

Beyond the music, this year’s festival featured several new daytime attractions to keep guests entertained between performances. These “value-add” activities included quirky competitions such as “Redneck Twister,” a Flip Cup tournament, hole-in-one golf at the campground, and the ever-popular campground decorating contest.

A major highlight was the return of the Thursday night kickoff party, dubbed Rockin’ Thursday, which was reinstated after being dropped last year. “People were very happy to see Thursday night back,” McMaster said. “It really helped set the tone for the rest of the weekend.”

McMaster noted a shift in audience demographics compared to last year. While 2024 featured a heavily throwback-themed lineup that attracted an older crowd, 2025 saw a younger audience, energized by a more diverse range of artists.

Still, the attendance numbers remained consistent with last year, he added, reinforcing Countryfest’s appeal across age groups and musical preferences.

Despite the festival’s success, McMaster acknowledged ongoing challenges behind the scenes — most notably the rising cost of entertainment.

“Entertainment has gotten incredibly expensive over the last five to 10 years,” he said. “Paying many of our artists in U.S. dollars adds to the strain with the current exchange rate. It’s our biggest challenge right now bringing in top-quality acts while balancing the budget.”

Planning is already underway for the 2026 edition, with hopes of landing major performers to elevate the event back to pre-pandemic levels.

“We’re in talks with a couple of artists already and hope to make an announcement in the next month or so,” McMaster said. “We’re really hoping to get some big-name entertainment and have a standout year.”

McMaster emphasized the crucial role of volunteers in making Countryfest possible. With just two full-time staff and a limited seasonal team, more than 1,000 volunteers are the backbone of the event’s success.

“This festival runs on volunteer power,” he said. “Without them, there would be no Countryfest. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make this happen.”

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