THUNDER BAY – Country on the Bay is no more.
At least, not in its current format and genre.
The good news for local music fans is organizers do still intend to hold a three-day music festival at Fort William Historical Park on July 18 to July 20, according to a note posted on the festival website, www.countryonthebay.ca.
“In the coming weeks, festival organizers and partners will announced a newly branded festival. This re-branding will enable the festival to explore a broader range of themes, including country, rock, classic hits, and beyond,” reads the update.
“By embracing this re-branding, the festival aims to meet the high demand for such events in our city.”
Organizers said they plan to build on the success of Country on the Bay moving forward. This year’s event featured Blake Shelton, who came with an estimated $1.7-million price tag. Past headliners at the three-year event included Toby Keith and Dean Brody.
“Although the Country on the Bay brand concluded in 2024, the new brand will build upon the festival’s successes in the future,” organizers said.
“Utilizing the exceptional layout and functionality of Fort William Historical Park, including its rich history of hosting major events, the available space for ticket holders, vendors, and performances is unparalleled. The partnership with the Fort continues, as does the same scheduled dates in July that the festival has committed to over the next few years.”
Feedback from festival patrons, sponsors and vendors were considered in making the change.
The post says VIP ticket holders from Country on the Bay will be notified first about ticket information, dates and performers from the newly branded festival. Those notifications are expected in the “coming weeks.”
