Killarny music festival back with new name

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This article was published 14/08/2025 (224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Is there anything better than a Manitoba summertime music festival out on the prairies? How about one at the lakeside?

The Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council (KTMAC) is presenting the Killarney Lakeside Festival on Aug. 22-24 at the Heritage Home for the Arts.

Council president Giselle Beaupre, said the organization took some time off after two previous festivals and now they’re ready for “a kind of a reboot.”

“We had two festivals in Killarney, one in 2021, one in 2022, called Sights and Sounds. We’ve renamed it the Killarney Lakeside Festival to make more of a link to the lake and to Killarney as the summer place that it is,” Beaupre said.

“Everything is taking place at the Westoba Stage, which is east of the Killarney Ag building, and the site itself will be the Heritage Hall for the Arts.”

The weekend will see a toe-tapping variety of music, with bluegrass and banjo, folk music and more. Concerts kick off on Friday evening showcasing T.H.E., Julianna Moore, and Midlife Crisis with Mama Sol James at the helm as both headliner and host for the weekend.

“She’s an amazing entertainer with the gift of the gab and she has an amazing voice and sings soul, roots and blues. So, she’s going to really carry us through the weekend,” Beaupre said.

The festival grounds will keep hopping Saturday night with Bobby Dove, The Spectacles, The Janzen Boys, Quinton Blair, and the Dust Rhinos. “Tweeners” (short performance sets) will keep the momentum going between acts. Sunday is family day when the kids can “go bananas” with Beppie and chill out with jazz from Mandy Faye.

“We have a space for all kinds of family yard games. We will also have face painting, hair braiding, and mini tattoos,” Beaupre said.

Saturday will give folks a chance to learn how to trip the light fandango at two workshops for all ages, line dancing and two-stepping, also taking place at the Westoba Stage.

Lovers of arts, crafts, and all things handmade will find at least a dozen vendors at the Artisan Market on Saturday afternoon at the Killarney Ag Society Display Building. This is an indoor market, and it is the one afternoon only.

“We have a whole bunch of local alpaca-made goods. We have some woodworking, we have candles, different sewing projects and more,” she said.

Festivalgoers will find popular local chow to keep energy levels high with two food trucks and, from Brandon University, the coffee cart from Bailey’s Café.

“Green’s Dog House will be bringing hot dogs and pork burgers, and Bigcity Bites will also be on hand. Their claim to fame is bagel burgers of all kinds,” Beaupre said.

“We will also have a beer garden.”

Entry to the festival will be at the south side of the site. Beaupre says there will be ample parking. If people want to daytrip, they can simply park and bring their chairs to the Westoba Stage; or, if they want to stay for the weekend, there will be another, first-time option.

“The municipality has given us permission to use the green space west of the Heritage Home. That means we will be having free no-footprint-camping space available, and we’re really excited about that,” she said.

“That means anything from a pup tent to your RV. It’s just that we have zero services and we’re looking at leaving zero footprint.

“It gives you a place to stay while you’re at the festival from Friday to Sunday for free this year, thanks to the municipality.”

Take note that there are no reservations for the campground, so spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no amenities in the no-footprint campground, however showers on the beach will be available. Port-a-potties will be on site.

To help audiences keep track of all the fun, programs will be available at Heritage Homes for the Arts and at Lewis and Jones (532 Broadway Ave. in Killarney).

Once people have tickets in hand, Giselle Beaupre encourages festival goers to bring hats, bug spray, comfortable lawn chairs and a cozy blanket.

“It’s late August, so the evenings might get a little chilly,” she says.

“But I know our late-night performers are going to keep people on their toes and moving.”

Tickets are available at Heritage Home for the Arts (killarneyarts.com), Lewis and Jones, and Eventbrite (eventbrite.ca). Weekend Passes are $75 for adults, $45 for youth, and the event is free for those under nine years old.

To confirm additional information and updates about the festival, go to killarneyarts.com or call 204-554-0023. Also see facebook.com/heritagehomeforthearts and Instagram: @killarneyarts.

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