Killarney bringing the grand stage to Canada Day

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This article was published 21/04/2022 (1442 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Residents of Killarney are preparing for a grand celebration of music to give Canada Day festivities a spark, the likes of which have never been heard in the town’s history.

Liana Smith, general manager of the Shamrock Centre has wanted to plan a large scale music event on Canada Day for years instead of the typical free event they would arrange for the town. This year the Killarney Community Events Committee stepped up their game in a big way — arranging for the multiple CCMA and Juno-nominated band The Hunter Brothers to headline Canada’s birthday event at Killarney’s Agricultural Grounds.

“Killarney has never done an event this big before, if we could pull this off it would be amazing,” Smith said.

“I wanted something bigger this year, just because we’ve been shut in for the last two and a half years due to the pandemic. I’d just be so happy to bring them to the community.”

Partnering with local businesses like Greenvalley Equipment, the Killarney Ag Society, Killarney Kinsmen, Boundary Co-op and the Heritage Home For The Arts, the events committee was formed to start creating moments the community would remember according to Smith.

“I was originally hoping I could bring in a big country music act and I have a friend, Paul Brandt,” Smith said.

“I spoke with him and I couldn’t get him to come out because he was already committed to Dauphin Countryfest. He put me in touch with the Hunter Brothers. That’s how that all came about.”

Smith met the Canadian country icon while living in Alberta, prior to moving to Killarney. She said that Albertan connection helped arrange the Hunter Brothers performance. The brothers from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan have quickly become Canadian country fan favourites across the prairies, for their hit singles including “Lost,” “Born and Raised,” “Those Were The Nights” and “Been A Minute.”

“When they heard how small we were and that we were trying to pull this off, they jumped on it,” Smith said.

“They thought it was a fabulous idea and we’re pretty excited.”

The brothers continue to operate their family farm in Saskatchewan and prior to the pandemic had a chance to be the opening act to Paul Brandt on a cross Canada tour, to which that connection still remains.

Smith said the Hunter Brothers are set to perform at 9:30 p.m. on July 1 and Trevor Panczac, a rising Canadian country star from Alberta is set to be the opening act, playing a one hour show starting at 8 p.m.

At 2 p.m. gates will open to the concert grounds and Hick Town, a local country band from Treherne is scheduled to perform between 2 to 4 p.m. By 11 p.m. event coordinators are hoping to close the day with fireworks following the Hunter Brothers performance.

Smith shared that Look Music, a professional sound production company based in Brandon has been in put in charge of arranging the sound, stage and lighting for the Hunter Brothers. She explained the company was a great fit for the band as they had worked together on a previous Hunter Brothers tour.

In addition to a full lineup of country music, Smith said the committee has lined up a full program of free events for families and children.

“We’re going to have sandcastle building down at the beach, bouncy castles and scavenger hunts, all kinds of fun events throughout the day,” she said.

Event organizers said they have several food trucks confirmed so far including Westman favourites: the Mariachi Food Truck, the Mexican King food trailer, Sabor Latino, Tony’s Grub Hub and a local supplier, Green’s Dog House.

Smith said she would like to get up to 20 food trucks that will be accessible to the entire community and there will be a number of beer gardens open to everyone above 18 years of age.

The committee said they have secured parking from a local farmer’s pasture and will be able to offer plenty of parking and a shuttle service over to the concert grounds.

In terms of seating, Smith advised potential attendees it is a first come first serve basis, and people will need to bring their own folding chairs and blankets should they desire.

She said over 1,000 tickets have been sold so far, and tickets will cost $50 for adults and $20 for children aged six to 12. Children five and under are free. The committee said their capacity for the event is between 3,200 to 3,500 people and Smith believes many tickets will sell in the month leading up to the July 1 action.

Smith said their committee meets once a month, and will need a village of 200 volunteers in the leadup to the event. She hopes it sets a precedent to be able to host a concert series like this every year going forward.

“We really want to put Killarney on the map,” Smith said.

“We may only have 3,500 in population but we are a key centre within this part of the province. We just wanted to get the word out to the rest of Manitoba that we’re that little gem down in the south corner of the province, but we have a lot to offer.”

Tickets for the event are available at the Shamrock Centre and at eventbrite.com

» jbernacki@brandonsun.com

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