Click here for the schedule of events and a site map!
Culture of the Event
See what Canada is all aboot! As Canada is a Mosaic Culture, we will honor as many of our founding people as possible including First Nations.
Check out this interesting article about the founding of Canada and other historical facts of our neighbor to the north!
Our friends at the French Heritage Society have created this lovely resource about the French Heritage Corridor present in several of our neighboring Midwestern states. Consider a road trip to follow the historical steps of our French ancestors!
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 is a Canadian trad/folk band with Trans-Atlantic Nordic-Celtic-Acadian-Quebecois roots. They offer up the haunting voice of award-winning Björling and gorgeous vocals of renowned shanty artist Seán Dagher, along with multi instrumentalists/vocalists Amanda Keesmaat, Simon Alexandre and Alex Kehler playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. They play 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 Activities
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!
World Champine Poutine Competition Local and regional restaurants and food trucks will compete to create the best Poutine in the World!
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
New in 2024! The Canuck Canteen! Festival founder and local chef and food historian Channon Mondoux leads a team that is making authentic Canadian favorites for purchase! The menu so far: peameal bacon sandwiches, poutine, and nanaimo bars. There will also be buttertarts and ketchup potato chips!
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!
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.