"it's a real feather in our cap to be nominated for a prestigious award like the Event of the Year with Tourism Westman," shares committee chair of the Killarney Community Events Committee Outdoor Concert, Ryan Heinrichs.

In 2022, the KCEC invited the Hunter Brothers to kick off their series of summer fun for the Canada Day celebrations.  They were met with an astounding 3,000 people attending the event, and that momentum continued with the 2023 concert with the REKLAWS.  Again, they saw a crowd of over 3,000.

It was the 2023 event that prompted the nomination for Tourism Westman's Tribute to Tourism Awards for Event of the Year with a budget over $5,000.  They didn't come home with the award, but it was truly an honor to be nominated, says Heinrichs.

"Our volunteer base and everything, it's such an honor to be part of that, and I guess it reinstates that we're heading in the right direction right!?"

Funds raised goes towards a variety of local service groups once all expenses are paid.  The groups volunteer for the day, in set up and tear down and manning the different booths and then receive a donation from the KCEC once the dust has settled.

Brett Kissell will be taking the stage come Saturday evening, July 6th following favorites that will be performing all afternoon!

"The interesting thing with a lot of our acts that we're getting is that they love this rural scene," shares Heinrichs. "They love playing at these concerts because the energy that's created from the crowd is just unbelievable! When you're there at the concert and you're in the audience it just grows on you. But I know helping out backstage doing the production side of things it's just such an adrenaline rush and just gives you a whole new level of appreciation for what our small-town communities bring to our fans.  And our volunteer group is so important to us with every show that we put on!"

This year's event will not be held on Canada Day, as much as the committee wanted to. 

"It was a very tough decision, and our Board didn't make this decision lightly," he explains. "The trouble we have is we would love to host this event on a Canada Day every year but of course, Canada Day can fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday or a Thursday.  But it also conflicted with our local Killarney Agricultural Fair which is on the two days leading up to Canada Day this year."

 "So, we elected to choose the first weekend in July going ahead," says Heinrichs.  He adds in 4 years' time the July concert will be back to being hosted as a Canada Day celebration.  Until then the event will be deemed a kick-off to summer celebration!

Heinrichs says they're still expecting huge numbers again around that 3,000 mark of attendees!

"It's still going to be a huge show! We're going to have some big bands, and we're going to have some fireworks, we've got over 10 food trucks coming, and lots of activities throughout the day!"