Thousands of music lovers will descend upon Bengough this July to hear bands such as Trooper, Charlie Major, Kim Mitchell and Michelle Wright perform during the 15th annual Gateway Music Festival.
Located in the Bengough Regional Park at the south end of Main Street, Bengough — a 1.5-hour drive from Regina and Moose Jaw — is a small ranching and farming community just north of the historic Big Muddy Badlands. Reader’s Digest recently listed the Big Muddy as one of 10 places in Canada that “every Canadian needs to visit.”
The 15th annual festival occurs from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28. According to the festival website, over the past decade, thousands of music fans from across the Prairies and beyond have flocked to Bengough for this annual music festival. During the last weekend of every July, the town’s population of 332 multiplies by more than 10.
More information about the event can be found at www.gatewayfestival.com.
“We have an amazing lineup. People should come … ,” Lois Giraudier, festival board vice-president, told the Moose Jaw Express. “There is something magnetic about (the festival).”
Many people are excited about this year’s festival and have told board members they like the lineup, Giraudier continued. She is a country fan, so she is looking forward to Saturday when several country performers hit the stage. Friday is geared more toward rock fans.
Giraudier has been involved with the festival for 13 of the past 15 years. She remembers that it was initially difficult to find volunteers. However, there are now 200 people willing to help, from working the front gate to merchandise to the beer gardens.
“There is festival fever around this town like you wouldn’t believe,” she added. “Enthusiastic is the word.”
With three stages of concerts and workshops, a children's area with performers and activities, a “concerts and culture crawl,” and many other events all delivered with small-town charm, the Gateway Festival has something for everyone.
Some of the other musical acts include Craig Finn & The Uptown Controllers, Kira Isabella, Kacy & Clayton, Chixdiggit, Altameda, Christine Fellows, and others.
A variety of food trucks, vendors, and artisans will be available on the festival grounds. A complete list of vendors will be released in the coming weeks.
Since this is the 15th year, organizers have scheduled a parade on July 27 beginning at 10 a.m. A car show will then follow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A pancake breakfast will be offered from 8 to 11 a.m. all three days. Meanwhile, the music goes full throttle until about 2 a.m.
Camping is run by the Bengough parks board. Electric, full-power campsites are sold out for 2019. However, there is plenty of overflow camping remaining and sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Festival organizers say there is plenty of green lawn and trees in the overflow section. The cost is $15 per night and the gates open for camping at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24.
There were 500 campers who stayed last year, said Giraudier. It’s not easy to manage a population that increases by a factor of 10 every year. That’s why visitors must bring their own campers or tents since the town has few accommodations.
Campsites are located next to the festival grounds and provide access to hot showers and washrooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a cook shack, and the golf course. Sites are conveniently divided into Family, Quiet, and Party zones to help match your weekend plans.
For more info call 306-268-2909 or email dashby@sasktel.net.
