Killarney Guide

BY KIM LANGEN

An exceptional Canada Day celebration on Friday, July 1, is coming up soon.

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, and you can get your tickets in advance here at the Shamrock Centre, Lewis & Jones, Killarney Ag Campground and Kerry Park Campground. At this time we only accept cash or a cheque, or you can order them at eventbrite.com.”

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

“The ticket also includes enjoying the band Hick Town, who will perform from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. and then again from 7-8 p.m.,” said Smith. “AventPro, Red Rover and Sound Art, all from Winnipeg will be will be coming in the day before 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, Mile 3 Meats, 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 can go to them, and the people outside of the grounds. There will also be a number of beer gardens, open from 4 p.m. 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.

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. 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.

Plans for the big day are thanks to the creation of the new Killarney Community Events Committee, who are bound and determined to make special events like these memorable, said Smith.

“Ryan Heinrichs and I came up with the idea last year of bringing together a heap of talented, experienced, and creative people from the community, and all of us working together to make something like this year’s Canada Day event happen, and to benefit the community as a whole,” said Smith. “There are around 16 of us, and everybody is dedicated to bringing a big event to Killarney every Canada Day.”

Festival goers are urged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on, and event rules include not bringing in food or drink, she said.  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 Hwy. 3, behind the Flywheel Club,” said Smith. “There will also be shuttles running constantly back and forth to the festival site.” 

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.

Keep scrolling for a full list of Canada Day events in Killarney.

BIRTHDAY BASH JULY 1 – The Hunter Brothers, (from left to right) Brock, Dusty, Ty, Luke and J.J., will be performing in Killarney this summer at the Agricultural Grounds for Canada Day on July 1. Hunter Brothers have received multiple CCMA Award nominations, JUNO Award nominations and SCMA Award wins. The group has played major country festivals in Canada and U.S., and toured with country icon Paul Brandt. Since releasing their debut album Getaway, they have amassed numerous radio hits, including Born And Raised, Those Were The Nights, national number one hit Lost, and, most recently Been A Minute. Visit killarneyguide.ca to read an interview with the Hunter Brothers from just before Christmas.

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.