Twenty festivals receive support to bring people together through arts, culture and music
Communities across the Columbia Basin will come together this festival season as 20 music, art and cultural festivals receive support through Basin Festivals Grants, a program funded by Columbia Basin Trust and administered by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council.
Bringing together presenters, performers, artists, residents and volunteers, these festivals help create vibrant communities by fostering connection, showcasing local talent and supporting local economies. This year, the Trust will provide more than $230,000 in funding for events throughout the region.
“Each year, our communities are shaped and invigorated by these seasonal gatherings,” said Justine Cohen, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust. “Whether it’s a local outdoor concert series or a regional arts festival, these events contribute to the vibrancy of our communities by bringing people together, celebrating local creativity and showcasing what makes the Basin a welcoming place to live and visit.”
Golden received a total of $30,000 to be awarded to Kicking Horse Culture; $15,000 for the 2027 Emberfest and $15,000 for the 2026 Summer Kicks.
Here are three of the events receiving support through Basin Festivals Grants.
• Flats Fest – Each August, more than 2,000 people from the Columbia Valley and beyond travel to Canal Flats for Flats Fest, a two-day festival that brings together artists, vendors and country music fans. Featuring multiple stages, including a Kootenay Stage dedicated to Basin musicians, along with artisan markets and food vendors, Flats Fest is a signature event for the community and an important contributor to the local summer economy.
“Flats Fest is so much more than a music festival—it’s a community effort that showcases our incredible volunteers, supports local businesses and welcomes visitors to Canal Flats,” said Valerie Bracken, Vice President, Flats Fest Society. “The event creates opportunities for people to connect through music and shared experiences while contributing to the vitality of our local economy.”
• Balfour Daze – A highlight for communities along Kootenay Lake’s West Arm, including Longbeach, Balfour, Harrop, Procter, Queens Bay and Ainsworth, Balfour Daze celebrates local culture and community collaboration. The event brings together organizations such as the Balfour Recreation Commission, Balfour & District Business & Historic Association and the Balfour-Harrop Fire Department for a day of free family activities, live music and local food.
“Balfour Daze reflects what makes small communities special,” said Julie Poetsch, Administrator, Balfour Recreation Commission. “It brings neighbours together, strengthens relationships among local organizations and gives residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the spirit of our community.”
• Music in the Park – What began as a small outdoor concert series has grown into a summer-long community celebration. Hosted at Trail’s Gyro Park along the Columbia River, the Trail and District Arts Council’s Music in the Park features weekly concerts, monthly night markets, Music in the Dark events for younger audiences and RemarkABILITY Fest, which celebrates people with diverse abilities.
“Music in the Park has become one of Trail’s and the surrounding communities’ most beloved summer traditions,” said Amelia Ewart, Executive Director, Trail & District Arts Council. “For TDAC, the series is about making arts and culture accessible to people of all ages and abilities and creating opportunities to bring community together through the experience of live music.”
Columbia Basin Trust supports the efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin to strengthen social, economic and environmental well-being. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit ourtrust.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
