PROVIDENCE BAY—The Providence Bay Agricultural Society (PBAS) has big plans for the popular Providence Bay Agricultural Fair to be held August 16-18. Although those plans no longer include Manitoulin’s Got Talent, this is being replaced with something that will be great news for music fans. This year, the Prov Fair will feature a music festival that will include classic rock acts and at least two Canadian Country Music Association Award acts.
With an eye to the future, the PBAS is planning to build a 5,000 capacity music venue, with a stage built on the west side of their property in Providence Bay. PBAS spokesperson Dawn Dawson sat down with The Expositor to share their plans.
“It will be on the site where the old MIDRA (Manitoulin Island Dirt Riders Association) track was,” explained Ms. Dawson, who added that, for this year at least, there will be no camping. “Not for this year,” she said, adding that getting the festival grounds in order for the event will be enough of a bite to take on at the start.
The opening act for the one-day music festival will be the classic rock Sidecar Willie and the Mojo Kings, who will mount the stage at 7 pm (also new this year will be an associated beer garden that will also open at 7 pm). Starting at 8:45 pm will be Nate Haller, 2022 CCMA Awards Rising Star and has been named an Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the Month, while at 10 pm, Jade Eagleson will headline the event. Mr. Eagleson is no stranger to Canadian country music fans, having been named the 2023 CCMA Awards Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year, as well as the award for Innovative Campaign of the Year. He is also the recipient of the 2022 CCMA Top Selling Canadian Album Award, thanks to his sophomore release ‘Honkytonk Revival.’
Other musical offerings during the festival will include Island favourites Missy’s Groovy Little Band and Nettish and Friends.
Otherwise, assures Ms. Dawson, “the fair will be the same as always.” Albeit with online ticket sales that include a weekend wristband going for $85. The concert only admission price will be set at $50.
In associated news, “last year’s Fair Ambassador will be representing us at The Ex in Toronto,” said Ms. Dawson.
Central Manitoulin council has voiced its support for the creation of the new music venue, passing a motion at its April 11 meeting, moved by Councillor Derek Stephens and seconded by Councillor Brian Mitchell “That the letter from the Providence Bay Agricultural Society be received and further that staff be directed to prepare a letter of support for the Providence Bay Agricultural Society Phase 2 application to Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation’s Community Enhancement Program (Rural Stream) for the Stage Revitalization Project at the Providence Bay Agricultural Society’s fairgrounds.”
The news of the new festival will doubtless prove heartening to Island music fans in light of the sudden cancellation of the Manitoulin Country Fest and Rockin’ the Rock festivals this year due to health challenges being faced by the organizers.
