Powwow Country: Manitoulin Country Fest, Low Island Park in Little Current, Aug. 4-7

Manitoulin Country Fest, Low Island Park in Little Current, Aug. 4-7

Country music star Crystal Shawanda will once again perform at this year’s Manitoulin Country Fest, which will be staged Aug. 4-7 at Low Island Park in Little Current. Shawanda, who lives in Nashville, will be a crowd favourite not only because of her musical talents but also because she’s from the neighbouring Wikwemikong First Nation. This marks the fifth year of the festival.

Shawanda performed at the 2009 event and was a guest at last year’s event, where she mingled amongst the attendees. “She’s our hometown girl,” said festival organizer K.C. Timmermans. “She’s very much into her fans. And it’s always a pleasure having her here.”

Shawanda is not the only confirmed Aboriginal musician who will perform this year. Also taking to the stage will be Tom Jackson, who is from Saskatchewan’s One Arrow First Nation. This festival started off as a one-day event in 2007 and attracted about 1,500 fans. Despite poor weather, the 2010 four-day festival drew almost 17,000 spectators. Organizers are hoping to average about 6,200 fans per day this year, which would translate into an over-all attendance of about 25,000.

More festival information is available at www.manitoulincountryfest.com.