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2026 Canadiana Fest Save The Date

Canadiana Fest

More than a festival - a community! Join us!

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2025 was pretty great…check out the wrapup video for Year Three here!

November 23, 2025 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

If you were at the Can-Am Peace Jam at Canadiana Fest this year, you know what a great time we had. We had everything from Indigenous water ceremonies to lectures on the Great Lakes, to archaeology, to all the Canadian sports, to exceptional poutine, to games galore, to an incredible musical lineup and so very much more. There was something for everyone, and it sure did look like everyone was having a blast.

It was a joyful Michigan autumn day and we packed in all the fun we could! We hope our wrapup video gives you a sense of that. Feel free to share this on your socials, and tag us!

We are already planning for 2026. We welcome anyone who wants to be part of building this festival to an even better fourth year, and if you’re interested in joining the planning, let us know here!

Photos credits to Leslie Dutcher Photography, M2 McMillan Media, Alvin Chin, Danielle Devlin, and Tony Steele for all mascot art.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Build a community with us!

October 9, 2025 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

Canadiana Fest is growing and evolving and we are always welcoming new team members who might want to participate in various capacities. Whether you’re interested in year-round participation or want to help out at the festival on the day of, or maybe you want to become involved in the inner workings of the planning committee, please reach out to us. We have something for everyone.

Come be a part of the action! In the least, you’ll get a cool t-shirt and have a great time with fun folks.

Before the Fest We have so many roles where you can bring your unique talents!

  • Planning Committee, Media, Support: Want to be involved but not sure where you fit yet? We have a variety of opportunities supporting planning, media, and general Fest needs. Tell us what you’re interested in, what skills you’d like to share, and how much time you have—we’ll find a role that works for you.
  • Grounds Coordinator: Help bring the Fest to life—literally. You’ll oversee the physical setup of the grounds, coordinating tents, tables, chairs, and all the moving pieces that turn an open space into a vibrant festival. On the big day, you’re the go-to problem solver keeping everything running smoothly.
  • Retail Coordinator: Turn Fest spirit into something folks can take home! You’ll lead our merchandise booth, manage inventory and volunteers, and creatively showcase our merch to boost sales and excitement. Ideal for someone with an eye for display, marketing flair, and a love of festival vibes.
  • Canuck Canteen Coordinator: Run our beloved Canadian concession stand and help make a real impact. You’ll manage the canteen from top to bottom—menu planning, logistics, and volunteer coordination—while supporting Fest fundraising and local food banks. A great role for an organized leader with a big heart.
  • The Apothecary: Mix creativity with community! You’ll design and coordinate our non-alcoholic cocktail bar, crafting delicious, eye-catching drinks that delight festivalgoers and raise funds for the Fest. Perfect for someone who loves flavor, presentation, and offering something special and inclusive.
  • Canuck Club Social Events: Help bring the fun and build the community! You’ll organize and host casual social gatherings—from euchre and hockey watch parties to concerts, theatre outings, ice skating, curling, and more. If you love bringing people together and being the social cruise director of a good time, this role has your name on it.
  • Fundraisers for the Festival: Help make the magic happen! You’ll support fundraising efforts that bring exciting performances and events to life throughout the year. If you enjoy connecting with people and championing a great cause, this is a wonderful way to be part of the Fest experience.
  • Promotional support: Help build the buzz and get the word out far and wide! You’ll support Fest promotion by hanging posters, sharing on social media, and spreading the excitement in your local community. Whether you’re in the city or a nearby town or county, your outreach helps make the Fest a success.

At the Fest Here are just a few places we could use your help on the day of the Fest!

  • Decorate the grounds with banners and more!
  • Grounds Crew: set up, clean up/empty trash bins, tear down!
  • Be a Canuck Greeter- meet people at the gates with the map and schedule of events, answer questions, escort folks to our booths or tents!
  • Face painting and game attendants!
  • Be a Mascot Handler- help Bobbie Beerver or Kalam A Moose!
  • Help stock and sell Fest merchandise!
  • Make no-alcohol cocktails! Bonus points for bar experience!
  • Work the refreshments stand (no hot food)!
  • Work in the VIP Tent and the talent Green Room!

If you can do it, we can put it to work! Let us know how you want to help! Shoot us a note and how you’d like to get involved!

Filed Under: Canadiana Fest News

Help us improve in 2026! Complete our exit survey!

October 5, 2025 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

As we wrap up 2025’s Fest, we’re already planning for next year. As you can imagine, offering a free festival means that we have to tap every possible resource. Having information from the public that addresses the validity, value, and importance of what we presented at Canadiana Fest is incredibly important.

If you haven’t completed a survey, would you take a moment to do so? Or, could you send this to friends and family who you know attended? You may receive a survey because you might have been a vendor or a participant in some other way, but please, if you can share this with those you know who attended, we can get a better picture of how to best serve the community next year.

2025 Canadiana Fest Survey https://forms.gle/Z8gD1C8rNe7kzp3MA

Thank you so much for your time and being a part of the Fest this year.

Chi Miigwech, Merci Beaucoup, Thank You Very Much,
Channon Mondoux, Founder and C.C.O. (Chief Canuck Officer) and Amy Crabtree Campbell, Co-Director – Canadiana Fest

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2025 Poutine and Buttertart Winners!

October 3, 2025 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

If you were at Canadiana Fest, you know that a pretty fierce thunderstorm rolled through before we could announce our Poutine and Buttertart winners! The rain ended, but the lightning essentially shut down our stage and our sound system, so we’re announcing here!

The Grand Champion Poutine was from Katcha Steak, a new entrant this year! Theirs was a bold reimagining of a Canadian classic — crisp golden potato skins loaded with tender cheesesteak, caramelized peppers & onions, finished with house-made cheese gravy, and topped with shaved parmesan, fresh herbs, and a kick of jalapeño heat. They’re going to keep it on their menu, so go check them out!

2nd place Overall: American Culinary Federation of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek and One Well Brewing

3rd Place Overall: Motor Mouth, MI

Most Authentic Poutine: Best Coast Provisions

Most Inventive Poutine: PAC Pizzeria Michigan

People’s Choice: Grand River Brewery – Marshall

Now, on to the Buttertart Bakeoff! The competition was fierce for this highly technical delicate pastry!! The scoring was very tight again, with a point of each other. The 1st place winner was credited with the best overall pastry which tipped the scales.

1st place: Kalamazoo-area local and first time entrant Connie Kamerling!

2nd place: Owen Lewis of Chicago Butter Tart Co. Owen is the returning champion from 2024 and brought us a date-bar tart!

Tied for 3rd: Sarah Rousseau and Brent Grantham. Sarah is returning contestant from Canada, and Brent is another first timer in the contest!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Cara Lieurance and Brian O’Keefe at WMUK talk to Channon and Fest musician John Louis Good!

September 17, 2025 by Amy Crabtree Campbell

Canadiana Fest catches on in Kalamazoo! Cara Lieurance and Brian O’Keefe talk with Channon Mondoux and John Louis Good.

https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-culture/2025-09-17/canadiana-festival-catches-on-in-kalamazoo

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Upcoming Events and Webinars

5/9/26 The Moose Soir’EH! A fundraiser for Canadiana Fest!

Past Events and Webinars

3/10/26 🏒 Pucks & Poutine: Canadiana Fest NHL Watch Party in Oshtemo

4/7/26 Kalamazoo NHL Street Hockey Youth Launch Event

2-2-26 Cultural Programming: Exploring Your Canadian Heritage; Reviewing Bill C3 and the Implications of Citizenship, Culture, and Genealogy

3-3-26 and 3-24-26 Cultural Programming: Discover Your Roots: A Deep Dive into Canadian Heritage

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Donate to Canadiana Fest here! Your support helps us continue to bring you the best in Canadian music, food, art, and culture right here in Kalamazoo! 

  • Home
  • Events & Webinars!
  • Sponsors & Community Partners!
  • Culture & Education!
  • Volunteering!
  • Music & Culture!
  • Planning Your Visit!
  • Media on the Canadiana Fest!
  • Contact Us!
  • About Canadiana Fest!
  • Coming soon: Merchandise!

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