Best of the Fest’ 2019!

Enjoy our new location! Beautiful Lockwood Park next to the arena.
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Reggae/Pop/Funk from Saskatoon.
7:00-8:00pm Dinner & Music at The Cove
Booking essential. $60 + HST Buffet & Show (priority seating).
Sponsored by Westport Village IDA Pharmacy.
George St. between Spring and Concession.
12:00-1:00pm Bob Burtch Bluegrass Band
Traditional Bluegrass from Seeley’s Bay/Cornwall/Kingston.
1:30-2:40pm Nick MacLean Quartet
Modern Jazz from Toronto.
3:00-4:10pm A Fellow Ship
Folk/Pop/Jazz/Funk/Soul from Toronto.
4:30-6:00pm Scotty James
Sponsored by The Cove Country Inn. 2 Bedford St.
12:30-1:40pm Emily Bashall
New Country from Kingston.
2:00-3:10pm Slack Bridges
Neo Soul/Funk/R&B with Horns from Ottawa.
3:30-4:30pm The High Dials
Psychedelic Folk Rock Pop from Montreal.
5:00-6:30pm Miss Emily
Soul/R&B/Rock from Kingston.
1:00-5:00pm Wandering Minstrels: The Goat Steppers Parade Band
Throughout Downtown Westport. Oldtime/Dixieland from Kingston.
Westport is a beautiful small town so just navigate towards us and you can’t miss the festival. Find Westport on Google Maps here.
There will be designated parking areas. The stages are close together so park and enjoy the rest of the festival on foot.
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The MUSICwestport Open Air Festival showcased 8 bands on two stages and hosted visitors from the Philippines, Germany, France, New York, Boston, all across Canada and, of course, many proud locals.
The festival actually kicked off the night before at The Cove with a special performance from Montreal’s H’SAO to a sold out crowd. The award-winning African group set an energetic tone for the weekend with their enticing choreography and alluring vocal harmonies.
The morning started off in mother nature’s good graces as the sun shone for the finals of the VOICE of the Rideau singing competition where winners Stephanie Doornekamp, Luke Young, Madison Miernik and Jillian Texeira were crowed in their respective age categories.
Taking to The Cove stage sponsored by Jake By The Lake next was the crowd favourite of the weekend: Bob Burtch Bluegrass Band. The Canadian mandolin legend and his band played classic bluegrass under the sun while on the Artemesia Spring Street stage a few blocks over Mikey and The Reelers entertained crowds with their hilarious, high energy rock and roll.
In between the two stages, crowds were also treated to the ever-growing Spring Street Fair showcasing localartists and family friendly activities, including entertainment from interactive puppeteers. The live pottery demonstration was popular with the crowd, as was the return of the WAC bean bag toss challenge.
Hot electric jazz from Kevin Warren East West Project followed on Spring Street while, last minute additions to the line-up, Sunfields rocked The Cove stage with their quirky rock and catchy lyrics. As the dark clouds began to gather overhead, Drumhand‘s hypnotizing mix of Brazilian, African, Cuban and Indian rhythms kept the crowds entranced despite the drizzle but when the rain started to really pour audiences and bands alike began scattered to find shelter. A mass group effort from volunteers (including members of Sunfields, thanks guys!) helped move artists, amps, and audiences to alternate venues.
For the first time in its eight year history, MUSICwestport continued indoors but no one missed a beat.
Crowded into the inviting Church Street Bakery with warm tea and cookies, Alex the Folk Band kept the music going while a drenched Miss Emily and her loyal listeners set up inside The Cove. For the first time in its eight year history, MUSICwestport proceeded indoors but no one seemed to miss a beat. The festival day closed with the building sounds of New Country Rehab who ended the day on energetic musical high.
Thanks goes out to all the rain-soaked volunteers who worked like a well-oiled machine to move artists and amps alike into dryer locations and the spectators who followed the music. Special thanks to all of our generous sponsors who made the festival possible and continue to believe in the arts and WAC.
All donations collected over the weekend will go towards the WAC youth initiative to bring artists of all mediums into our local schools.