Although there was a complete change in scenery this year, the "Maybe" Annual Coney Island Music Festival proved successful.
Due to the high water and safety concerns, organizers made the call to change the 14th annual festival venue from Coney Island to the Whitecap Pavilion on Kenora's Winkler Harbourfront. This switch-up didn't disappoint.
"It's called the pivot. We had to pivot with COVID, and with the flooding on Coney, we had to pivot. But thankfully, the City of Kenora and Tourism Kenora made the Whitecap Pavilion available an it was an awesome day," says Co-Founder of the festival Ferg Devins.
It was a large change for 2020 as the annual event was held on Coney Island, but was held on resident docks with boaters invited to enjoy the show. The festival was held in normalcy at the field last year with COVID protocols in effect.
Although there was some rain, cooler weather and winds throughout the day, Devins estimates that over 1000 people cycled through Sunday's event.
A couple of new additions were introduced to the festival this year including children's entertainer Mark "Big Mark" LaBelle who, with his comedic and musical approach, kept the young festival goers amused. Prizes were handed out to the kids courtesy of Tracy Hall at Tracy's NoFrills in Kenora.
Winnipeg magician Adam Rosner was also in attendance as he awed the crowd with his comedy and tricks.
"ConeyFest '14 is a wrap, and thanks to the donations that we received today from patrons, ConeyFest '15 will be on and hopefully back on Coney Island," Devins concluded.
Donations were made throughout the day including an auction of a beautiful necklace valued at $750.00 courtesy of Brennan's Jewelers. The highest bid went to Andrew Poirier.
Sunday's Entertainment included:
Aneira Olson
"Lexie"
Ted O'Flaherty
Brandi Vezina
Scott Nolan
Ryan MacDonald of the Honest Heart Collective
The 22z
Further photos of ConeyFest '14 will become available in the coming days via their Facebook page courtesy of Julia Bender.