Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival to Continue, On Land

Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival at The Forks Historic Port
              Successful Festival to Continue, On Land

The Forks, Winnipeg: Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival at The Forks kicks off Friday, August 19th with fabulous Manitoba performers and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra headlining. But, don’t look for it to happen on the Assiniboine.

“The river has won this round,” says Paul Jordan, Chief Operating Officer, The Forks “It won’t surprise anyone this year that the levels are just too high for us to put a barge in the Assiniboine. So, the show will go on. It’s the bargeless Barge Festival under the canopy.”

The FREE music festival runs until Sunday, August 21st and features a mix of homegrown musical talent. This is the first year that The Forks is hosting the festival as one of its signature events.

“We are thrilled to bring back this fabulous event for Winnipeggers to enjoy,” said Jim August, CEO of The Forks North Portage Partnership. “Last year’s was a spectacular weekend filled with loads of great musical programming. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is back to perform this year, and I truly believe that anytime you see the WSO perform at The Forks it’s a magical experience.”

The three day long musical extravaganza would not be possible without the significant partnership between The Forks and Manitoba Lotteries, who have signed on as title sponsor.

“Manitoba Lotteries is honoured to be the title sponsor of The Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival,” said Manitoba Lotteries President and CEO Winston Hodgins. “We are a proud supporter of the vibrant arts scene in Manitoba. This event is a celebration of that artistic diversity, open to all, amidst the beautiful summer backdrop of The Forks.”

The event, which kicks off on Friday, August 19th is both the gala event, with the WSO headlining, and a strong French and English mashup of performers, dubbed Franglish: Where Francais Meets Anglais. Saturday’s line-up, the ‘Sirens of Song’, includes local talents Nathan, Jess Reimer, and will feature Melissa McClelland as headliner. Sunday’s performances includes the Manitoba Star Attractions Talent Showcase and the Latin sounds of Son Urbano to wrap up a glorious weekend of music and dance.

It’s Manitoba Time, Travel Manitoba’s tourism campaign sees the potential of this event to become a signature Manitoba experience.

“Everyone has their own idea of what Manitoba time is”, says Colin Ferguson, President and CEO of Travel Manitoba. “That sense of variety is a reflection of what Manitoba has to offer – whether it’s a great fishing experience, fantastic summer festivals, interesting museums, going to the beach or eating at your favourite restaurant. We want to encourage that sense of pride in Manitobans and create tourism ambassadors who want to share their Manitoba time with visiting family and friends and even complete strangers they may meet.”

Last year’s festival was an initiative of The Winnipeg Arts Council-Cultural Capitals programming and was so successful that The Forks decided to adopt it as one of their signature events. This year The Winnipeg Arts Council-Arts Development returns and is sponsoring the WSO’s appearance on Friday night.

“We are thrilled that The Forks is bringing back the Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival and contributing to the legacy of Winnipeg’s year as the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2010,” says Carol Phillips, Executive Director of The Winnipeg Arts Council. “The Winnipeg Arts Council is pleased to support the continuation of the ARTS FOR ALL campaign through our Arts Development Program, ensuring that all Winnipeggers have access to the Arts.”

The Forks hopes to make this the first annual Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival, and watch the signature event grow and flourish in years to come.

“It would be great to see the barge on the water again this year, however river levels and Mother Nature ultimately dictate that for us,” says August. “Whether it be on land or water, The Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival is sure to be a superb event loaded with talent for all Winnipeggers to enjoy.”
The Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival is made possible through the support of Manitoba Lotteries, It’s Manitoba Time-Travel Manitoba, The Winnipeg Arts Council-Arts Development Program, CBC Manitoba, and PO-MO.
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