Killarney Guide

The biggest birthday bash Killarney’s ever seen, tomorrow, Friday, July 1

Canada Day in Killarney promises to be a blast, with tons of free family activities, the headlining Hunter Brothers, and a big birthday fireworks display.

The big-ticket item will be the highly anticipated Hunter Brothers country music performance, beginning at 9:30 p.m., and tickets, at $50 a pop for adults ($20 for those aged six to 12; five and under are free), are still available.  

“There has never been an event like this at the Ag Grounds,” said Liana Smith, general manager at the Shamrock Centre. “It’s very high profile. There will be tickets at the gate, or you can order them at eventbrite.com. It’s cash only at the gate. Everything will be cash only at the event.”

But the charismatic band of five brothers, all farmers from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, who have been making their mark on the country music circuit, and been nominated for multiple awards, are just part of the big plans for the day.

“The ticket also includes enjoying the Treherne band Hicktown, who kick off the concert at 7 p.m. (but also have a free to the public performance earlier at 3 p.m.),” said Smith. “AventPro, Red Rover and Sound Art, all from Winnipeg will be will be coming in to erect the covered stage, and set up the sound and lights. These companies have all worked with the Hunter Brothers before and know exactly what they need to put on a terrific show.  Opening act Trevor Panczak, another great country performer, will take the stage at 8 p.m. for a one-hour show, followed by Mayor Merv Tweed’s speech at 9 p.m. And from 9:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. it will be the Hunter Brothers, followed by the fireworks. It’s going to be amazing.”

And the grub should also be great, said Smith.

“We have various food trucks coming in from around Manitoba, and they will be serving up from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.,” she said. “They include the Mariachi Food Truck, Tony’s Grub Hub, Los Brothers, and even our local supplier, Green’s Dog House. They are going to be located near the road, and both the festival goers and the people outside of the grounds can go to them. There will also be a number of beer gardens, open from 12 noon to midnight (cash only), and a whole raft of sani-stations for everyone, including wheelchair-accessible ones.”

Public events include a pancake breakfast at the Legion from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., sandcastle building at Erin Park Beach at 10 a.m., along with water slide fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Home for the Arts.

Next door the Flywheel Club will be offering retro tractor rides and tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Canada Day cupcakes will be handed out to everyone to enjoy from 3 to 4 p.m. at Erin Park.

At the J.A.V. David Museum there will be face painting from 10 a.m. to noon, plus a quilt show there to enjoy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Festival goers are urged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on. Bracelets for patrons mean they can come and go from the event site during the day and evening. Bags will be checked at the gate, and only service dogs will be permitted at the festival. 

Parking for the event is already organized, thanks to a local landowner, she added. 

“Don Chatham has donated the use of his land next to Highway 3, behind the Flywheel Club,” said Smith. “There will also be shuttles running constantly back and forth to the festival site.” 

Shuttles will begin at 2 p.m., picking up at the Shamrock Centre, Kerry Park, and the Co-op Green space, and dropping off near the main concert gate. At 4 p.m. the shuttle will also begin dropping off at the parking site, east of the main gate and off Highway 3.

And of course, even those outside the perimeter of the concert area will be able to enjoy the fireworks and free activities for Canada’s birthday.

Happy birthday Canada! It’s going to be a blast!

See the full list of events below.

HEADLINING HUNTER BROTHERS – Hunter Brothers will be the headliners on Friday night at the Killarney Ag Grounds, closing out the country show before the Canada Day fireworks.

TREVOR PANCZAK TO OPEN FOR HUNTER BROTHERS – Acclaimed Alberta country musician Trevor Panczak will be taking the Ag Grounds stage at 8 p.m., for a one-hour show on Canada Day, followed by the Hunter Brothers at 9:30 p.m.

HICK TOWN RETURNS – Treherne country band Hick Town was a big hit at the 2018 Scotties in Killarney (pictured above), and they are returning to us on July 1, Canada Day, as part of the high profile Hunter Brothers event taking place at the Ag Grounds.