Trout Forest Music Festival has some of Manitoba's best playing waterside

Spending a summer weekend in Ear Falls, Ontario is nice enough. Buttressed in wilderness by Lac Seul and the English River, Ear Falls is quite the natural beauty.

And this weekend, it only gets better as the 17th annual Trout Forest Music Festival takes hold of this quaint Northwestern Ontario Town. With a musical lineup that would make larger festivals blush, the Trout Forest Music Festival brings some high-caliber entertainment to this rather remote setting (she's about a three hour drive north of Kenora).

But don't let the drive intimidate you, as it certainly doesn't deter the all-Canadian talent.

"I go for conferences all over Canada and the U.S. and most musicians have heard of Trout Forest and are eager to play it," said the festival's music producer Devin Latimer, who is in his sixth year at this post. "I even sent a last minute offer to Miss Quincy who are now driving all the way from BC just to play at the festival." 



This year's lineup of performers includes Manitoba's Federal Lights, Nathan, and Red Moon Road, (including many, many, more), while acts from around Canada include Grammy and multi-Juno award winner Alex Cuba, BC's Christa Couture, and fiddling sensation April Verch.  

Latimer also couldn't help promoting the alt-bluegrass band The Magnificent Sevens as well as top notch songwriters Corin Raymond (whose been funding his new album with Canadian Tire money) and Jonathan Byrd, and the legend himself, Fred Penner, who will be entertaining the kids and hosting the main stage.

The festival draws around 1000 people a day, and offers about the most unique viewing perspective one could imagine.

"It's a waterfront festival site, so you can actually swim and watch the main stage at the same time" said Latimer."It's a super chilled atmosphere."

The Trout Forest Music Festival runs from August 10th to 12th. Tickets range from $70 for adults to $22 for children for the three day pass. You can also purchase individual day passes while families can take their really young ones (5 and under) in for free.

Tune in to SCENE On Air with host Ismaila Alfa for a musical highlight from The Trout Forest Music Festival - Saturday August 11 from 5 - 6 p.m. 89.3 FM.