Canadiana Fest 2024: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Culture in Kalamazoo MI!

Experience the Best of Canada at Canadiana Fest!

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Canada at Canadiana Fest 2024! Join us at the Arcadia Creek Festival Site in Kalamazoo, MI on September 21, 2024, for a day filled with live music, delicious Canadian cuisine and beverages, and exciting cultural activities. From award-winning musicians like Crystal Shawanda to traditional music by the Southern Straight Singers, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Don't miss out on this unique celebration of Canadian heritage and hospitality!

Get your tickets now and be a part of this unforgettable experience!

2024 Music Lineup

Crystal Shawanda Blues Crystal Shawanda | Official Twice Juno Award-winning and 2024 Maple Blues Award winner for Indigenous Artist of the Year, powerhouse Crystal Shawanda is coming to belt out her latest studio album, Midnight Blues, on True North Records. Her fiery blues collection showcases her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authentic appreciation for the genre dating back to her youth. Born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, in Northern Ontario, Crystal points to early influences like Etta James, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Her music reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian Indigenous country artist (in the SoundScan-era).

Julius “The Genius” Fisher Julius is an African-American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, band leader, and DJ. He is a gifted keyboard player and will be the opener for Crystal Shawanda. He is currently living in Nashville.

Rock Rx Rock Rx (rockrxband.com) Hailing from the Kalamazoo area, like a streaker at a sporting event, you won’t be able  to take your eyes off this high-energy cover band doing their rendition of best Canadian Rock, Pop and R&B. They make the audience feel like they are part of the band, literally. Don’t be surprised if you have a mic in your face during the show, as you sing along to one of your favorite  songs.  

Skye Consort & Emma Björling A Canadian trad/folk band with Trans-Atlantic Nordic-Celtic-Acadian-Quebecois roots offering up the haunting voice of award winning Bjorling and gorgeous vocal of renown shanty artist Seán Dagher joined with multi instrumentalists/vocalists Amanda Keesmaat, Simon Alexandre and Alex Kehler playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion riffing on whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions. Singing in French, English and Swedish, this band will take you back to some of the earliest impact on Canadian culture- through Nordic nuances, French Canadian traditional and Celtic influences.

Andrew Rathbun Ensemble Twice Juno Award nominated Jazz musician, featuring songs from his new recording "The Speed of Time" on Steeplechase Records.

Kalamazoo Pipe Band . The Kalamazoo Pipe Band is dedicated to teaching, performing & promoting highland bagpipe music in Kalamazoo, MI. Originating in the 1950’s, they have had the honor of piping at many Michigan ceremonies and events. Their heart thumping drum and heart wrenching pipes will move you and invoke the spirit of Canada’s Commonwealth origins. 

Southern Straight Singers This group of 20+ Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa and Chippewa drummers and singers will share their sacred drum and music at Canadiana Fest, leading our opening ceremonies with a round dance! 

2024 Food

Check out the Canuck Canteen and local culinary offerings for the best of the best! The Canteen, which will be run by Chefs Channon Mondoux and Austin Shynal, is a joint effort with VFW Red Arrow Post 1527 helping to raise funds for their work in the community. The Canteen will be offering traditional Canadian specialties like poutine and authentic peameal bacon sandwiches in addition to treats like Buttertarts and Pet de Soeurs!

These local and regional food vendors will offer delicious takes on Canadian Cuisine and local favorites.

• Gourmet Small-Batch Popcorn | Good Batch – Good Batch Popcorn
• Heart to Tart Bakery 
• Best Coast Provisions
• Millenium Restaurant Group
• BC Pizza
• Niskers
• Treat Street
• Grand River Brewery

Beer and Beverage Garden operated by the Chefs and Cooks Association. Enjoy delicious craft beers, including Final Gravity's Double Double stout and Brewery Outré's Newfound Brown made especially for the Fest, alongside your favorite imported Canadian favorites.

The World Champine Poutine Competition Vying for the coveted “Golden Gravy Ladle” Trophy. Get your Poutine Passport and sample the poutines! When you complete it, you'll get a button with Polli Poutine declaring that “I WENT TO CANADIANA FEST 2024 AND I EH'T 'EM ALL!”

New in 2024! Butter Tart Competition Open to all who want to bring their best version of this sweet Canadian classic, professional bakers and home bakers both! Bring a dozen buttertarts to the information booth and they will be judged by a panel of bakers, Canadians, and buttertart lovers. We’ll announce the winners from the stage in the afternoon! SIGN UP HERE: https://forms.gle/u5oztUnFxSpXQGXJ9

2024 Activities

****We will have an official Red Green Possum Lodge at the Fest this year! This is a must for any Red Green fan!****

Chainsaw artist Kris Kaleta of Custom Carvings will be demonstrating his carving art, with the finished piece being auctioned when he has completed it live at the Fest!

The Canada Car on display – Halle Halle is traveling all the way from Dundas Ontario to share her Art Car with us!  

Children’s Culture Tent: Join us at the children's tent for arts, crafts and cultural and educational activities about Canada!

Geneaology: Stop by and visit with the Kalamazoo Valley Geneaological Society! Find out about your heritage, and see if you have any Canada in your family tree!

Scottish Folk Dancing: Learn how with the Kalamazoo Scottish Country Dancers with the Kalamazoo Pipe Band!

Instrument Petting Zoo: Get up close and personal with various musical instruments hosted by the Great Lake Acoustic Music Association!

Youth books! Le Caribou a lunettes will be bringing Francophone books and reading in the cultural center. Le Caribou promotes the French language and Francophone Cultures through youth literature and more!

Expanded in 2024: Canadian Sports Center and "Families Have Fun!"

Led by Canadian Olympic athlete and WMU Hall of Famer Heather Sawyer, teaming up with the YMCA of Kalamazoo, the Fest will host WMU athletes and local sports teams. Come out and enjoy skills workshops, experiences and learn the history of these sports! We will have:

• Live Curling! sponsored by the Kalamazoo Curling Club and Millenium Restaurant Group. Come throw a rock for charity! All proceeds to be donated to South Michigan Food Bank to fight hunger.
• Live Lacrosse! Canada’s official winter sport! Learn the art, history, culture and sacred nature of Native American sports with William Griffey, Iroquois educator and elder. Meet the athletes and coaches of many local teams like Kalamazoo United, Portage Central/Portage Northern, and Kalamazoo College.
• Hockey! Come learn street hockey and enter our slapshot contest, all led by WMU athletes!
• Basketball! Invented by a Canadian! We will have a dunk contest and a skills workshop.

Try the VIP Experience and enjoy the Fest in style!

• NO WAIT GATE- Enter at the west gate on Koopsen’s Alley for NO WAITING! 
• Tasting Ticket includes up to 6 tasting pours of either on tap custom Canadian Style Beers or Canadian varietal wines.
• Canadian sommelier Austin Shynal from the Niagara region of Ontario, will be serving samples of Ontario wines in French and English.
• Mixologists Nyx and Anastasia will serve up creative and delightful mocktails featuring Clearly Canadian sparkling waters. Come taste their enticing treatments and unique flavor profiles!
• NOSH on delicious finger foods and bites across the day by top local chefs. 
• POSH private luxury portable bathrooms, covered tables and seating area. 
• No wait dedicated craft beer trailer, exclusive access to the stage with outdoor cocktail tables and seating. 
• Meet and greet with all of the bands.
• Jones Dairy is bringing their grill trailer with all kinds of bacon (including Canadian!), sausages, and other delights!