Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1120525
30 SPRING 2019 DAUPHIN'S COUNTRYFEST F rom a humble beginning at a rural festival site south of the city, Dauphin's Countryfest has grown into an internationally recognized event that draws stars from across North America. The longest-running country-music festival in Canada will celebrate its 30th anniversary June 27-30, with an impressive lineup of acts headlined by Jason Aldean and Toby Keith. "I remember it starting, but not doing so well," says Dauphin Mayor Allen Dowhan. "Now it's our biggest event of the year every year." Countryfest was established in 1989 to raise funds for what was then a "financially stressed" SELO Ukraina festival site, home to Canada's National Ukrainian Festival every August long weekend. The music festival started to build success after Rob Waloschuk, of Yorkton, Sask. company Performance Promotions, was hired to book bands for the second year. Over time, he started helping out with marketing and securing corporate sponsorship, and he became Countryfest general manager last year. Waloschuk has hit all the right notes, helping to make Dauphin a preferred destination for country's top acts. "It is pretty impressive," he says. "When I first started, I never thought it would grow into what it is, an internationally recognized festival. It's kind of a feather in our hat." Acts booked over the years have included Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Paul Brandt, Dallas Smith and the ever-popular Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which will kick off this year's festival on June 27. On Sunday, June 30, musicians who performed during the festival's early years — including Toby Keith, Neal McCoy, and Doc Walker — return for the Throwback Birthday Bash. "I never thought I could bring some of these acts to smalltown Dauphin," says Waloschuk. "But they know all about us in Nashville now." The Sunshine City boasts a population of about 8,500, which swells by 10,000 or more each Countryfest weekend. Run by non-profit corporation Countryfest Inc., the event has an annual economic impact MUSIC TO THEIR EARS Countryfest marks 30 years of fun and fundraising BY JIM BENDER CONTINUED >>