At this past week's Tribute to Tourism Awards at the Backyard on Aberdeen in Brandon, Killarney took home two significant wins; Event of the Year over $10K budget, and the Partnership Award.
The annual event is hosted by Tourism Westman and shines a light on the significant events and the volunteers that facilitate them in our Westman communities.
Event of the Year (budget over 10k): Killarney Community Events Committee Outdoor Concert
The Event of the Year (budget over 10K) Tribute recognizes a hallmark festival or event that creates a substantial economic impact within the local community, attracts visitors from outside the region/province/country, generates regional/national media attention and positively promotes Southwest Manitoba.
Killarney Community Events Committee Outdoor Concert
Now in its fourth year, this event’s committee has organized to coordinate the presentation of annual community concerts in support of multiple local non-profit agencies. Drawing crowds in excess of 3,500 for their first three events, the concerts have generated close to $48,000 in community revenues distributed among community organizations. The event is made possible through the support and participation of more than 55 businesses and sponsors. An event that sees the population of its host community double for one day a year, it has grown to be recognized locally as the town’s premiere event of the year!
"We were just absolutely thrilled to get the award," says Killarney-Turtle Mountain Mayor, Janice Smith. "We have been nominated for the last three years and this being our 4th year. On July 5th, we'll have our 4th concert. But, you know honestly, all the work that goes into putting on a concert like that to get the wonderful recognition of the Tourism Award just was amazing!"
"It's a big event and we want to increase the numbers," adds Smith. "It's good for the town to have all those people in town that day, and I know that it first landed on Canada Day, which really made it a big event. But to keep it in in rotation with the Killarney Fair we had to move it along a little bit to the next weekend.
"It didn't land on July 1st for the last couple of years, but it didn't seem to matter. The 1st Saturday in July, folks know that is the kickoff to summer here in Killarney. And the numbers remain around that 2500 to 3,000 and more every single time."
"So actually, we still got good numbers, and we still have great volunteers, and we still have a great executive committee, and we just look forward to having another great concert this year," she says.
Canadian country superstar Jade Eagleson and country favorite Steven Lee Olsen will be taking the stage come Saturday, July 5th at the Kick-Off to Summer concert in Killarney in just a few weeks.
Partnership Award: Killarney Lake Action Committee & the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain
The Partnership Tribute recognizes alliances that demonstrate a cooperative approach to tourism development and promotion.
Killarney Lake Action Committee/The Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain
Formed with an initial goal to curb the growth of algae blooms which was negatively affecting fish ecosystems and creating beach closures due to high levels of toxic algae, this partnership focused their efforts to address the challenge by installing an aeration system and have ensured the health of the lake for all to enjoy.
This has resulted in the Killarney’s 3 campgrounds being full right to the end of summer and visitors swimming, boating and fishing throughout the summer once more! Additionally, land value has increased substantially since the installation, with local cottages available for purchase getting snatched up immediately.
This collaborative effort has increased tourism substantially in the area and increased the draw for families to the community as well. Furthermore, these groups researched ultra-sonic and nano-bubbler technologies which consider the ecological effects to plant and animal life in the lake; with the pilot project being approved for the near future.
"Honestly, the Lake Action Committee has done so much work and they're so passionate and so educated on the issues, because the lake is so vital to our community, right?" shares Mayor Janice Smith. "It's vital on every level. Sometimes we say the Shamrock Centre is the heart of the community, but definitely the lake ...the lake is the soul."
"And you know, I just want to say how we at the municipality appreciate all the user groups that that work tirelessly to make our community a better place," she adds. "From the Kinsmen to the Killarney Ag Society, it goes on and on and, you know, like there's the minor balls and the daycares and the Turtle Mountain torrents, all sorts!"
"The municipality can't be experts at all of these different fields, right? So we really rely on having strong user groups to help us keep our community thriving," adds Mayor Smith.
Photo credit Filmed by Silas