Cougar Controversy?
More evidence these elusive beasts live in Ontario.
By Gerry Cariou
Summer Festival and Event Calendar Sunset Country 2024
Pow Wows, the Walleye Cup, dog shows, markets, and more!
The people of Ontario’s Sunset Country sure know how to take advantage of the short summer season. This year our event calendar is packed full of events ranging from Pow Wows to agricultural fairs to music and food festivals! You won’t want to miss out on the famous fishing tournament weigh-ins like the Kenora Bass International and the Lund Bronzeback Classic. Food trucks and pop-up shops are also abundant—be sure to check out these local events wherever you’re headed!
Did we miss any events? Let us know! info@visitsunsetcountry.com
We've broken the list of events by type, including General Events, Farmers Markets, Fishing Tournaments, Music Festivals and Pow Wows, and by month.
General Events
JUNE
Kenora & District Dog Club Show: June 14-16, 2024
Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September
JULY
Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September
Thunder Bay’s Teddy Bear Picnic: July 9, 2024
Railroad Daze in Rainy River: July 20-21, 2024
Norseman Festival Red Lake: July 13-14, 2024
Festival of India Thunder Bay: July 20, 2024
AUGUST
Sioux Narrows Arts Festival: August 3-4, 2024
Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival: August 2-11, 2024
All family fun at this week-long annual blueberry festival. Not just an event but a celebration! Join in on some activities, purchase blueberries and enjoy over 100 events!
Emo Fall Fair: August 15-17, 2024
Kenora Agricultural Fair: August 22-24, 2024
Dryden Fall Fair: Dryden Fair Grounds - August 22-24, 2024
Annual fair dedicated to celebrating the Dryden area's agricultural history and contributions to the community.
Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September
SEPTEMBER
Dryden We Run this City 10K: TBD
FARMERS MARKETS
Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Farmer’s Market: Starts June 18, 2024 (check link for recurring dates)
Northwest Farmers Market: Every two weeks you can visit this Friday market in Sioux Lookout, Ontario! Runs June until end of September 2024
Matiowski Farmers Market: Every Wednesday June-October from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion on the Kenora harbourfront.
FISHING TOURNAMENTS
The open water season may be slightly shorter than other regions in Ontario, but arguably, Ontario’s Sunset Country has the best fishing in Ontario. Tournaments in Sunset Country gave anglers like 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jeff Gustafson his start. If you’ve ever wanted to expand your tournament list, add Ontario’s Sunset Country to your bucket list for competitive or recreational fishing. Here’s a list of some fishing tournaments available in the area to register or cheer on your favourite team.
JUNE
Lake of the Woods Women’s Walleye Tournament: June 8, 2024
Sioux Lookout Walleye Weekend: June 8-9, 2024
Dryden Walleye Masters: June 15-16, 2024
JULY
Kenora Walleye Open: July 6-7, 2024
Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship: July 18-20, 2024
Lund Bronzeback Classic: July 20-21, 2024
Lac Seul Walleye Cup: July 26-28, 2024
AUGUST
KBI (Kenora Bass International): August 8-10, 2024
Atikokan Bass Classic: August 16-17, 2024
SEPTEMBER
Red Lake Fall Classic: August 30-September 1, 2024
Bassin' for Bucks: Sioux Narrows September 6-8, 2024
MUSIC FESTIVALS
Some music festivals last three days in Ontario’s Sunset Country! Bring a tent or trailer, or set up accommodations in a nearby lodge! You won’t want to miss out on these fun festivals complete with vendors, food, late-night jams, and amazing entertainment.
JULY
Coney Island ‘Maybe’ Annual Festival: July 28, 2024
AUGUST
Shake the Lake: August 3, 2024
Trout Forest Music Festival: August 9-11, 2024
Held at Ear Falls Waterfront Park, just one hour north of Vermillion Bay on Highway 105. Camping on the shores of the English River, part of the Historic Red Lake Gold Rush Trail, and the late-night jam sessions around the bonfires make for a memorable experience of Music in the Woods.
Moose N' Fiddle: August 23-24, 2024, Caliper Lake Provincial Park
This "cool little festival at the lake" returns to Nestor Falls. It all happens along the water's edge and under a canopy of tall pines.
A LIST OF NOT-TO-BE-MISSED POW WOWS
Ontario’s Sunset Country sprawls across three Treaty boundaries: Treaty Three, Five, and Nine. This historic and enriching cultural area is teeming with events, ceremonies, and celebrations of the First Nations and their communities. Why not take the time to learn more and make a pow wow part of your trip in northwestern Ontario? You can visit the event links below to find out more. Also, check out this Pow Wow etiquette guide. Dates are updated weekly! Check back again soon.
JUNE
Red Lake Traditional Pow Wow: June 7-8, 2024
Rainy River First Nation’ Pow Wow: June 15-16, 2024
Couchiching First Nation Pow Wow: June 21-23, 2024
Lac Des Mille Lacs Pow Wow: June 22-23, 2024
Fort William Traditional Pow Wow: June 28-30, 2024
Onigaming First Nation Pow Wow: June 28-30, 2024
JULY
Naotkamegwanning First Nation Pow Wow: July 5-7, 2024
Opwaaganisining First Nation (Lake Helen Reserve) Annual Pow Wow July
Seine River Pow Wow: July
Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation Pow Wow: July
Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Dalles First Nation Pow Wow: July
Ogimaawabiitong Annual Healing Your Spirit Pow Wow Wauzhushk Onigum: July
Naicatchewenin Northwest Bay First Nation Pow Wow: July
AUGUST
Iskatewizaagegan First Nation Shoal Lake 39 Pow Wow: August
Mishkosiminiziibiing (Big Grassy River) First Nation Pow Wow: August
Anishinaabeg Naongashiing Big Island First Nation Pow Wow: August
Lac La Croix First Nation Pow Wow: August
Wabeseemong White Dog First Nation Pow Wow: August
SEPTEMBER
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Pow Wow: September
Did we miss any events? Feel free to let us know at info@visitsunsetcountry.com with the subject line: Events 2024!
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