Rainbow Trout Music Festival brings fresh tunes to St. Malo area

Come for the music, stay for the wedding chapel.

The Rainbow Trout Music Festival is returning to the St. Malo area for its 17th year.

The festival, which showcases local musicians and bands from across Canada, runs from Aug. 15 to 17.

When selecting the bands for the weekend, the festival isn’t bound by a certain genre, said Katlyn Streilein, communications and marketing director for Rainbow Trout.

“You might be exposed to music you might not normally hear. If you’re a rock-and-roll fan, you’re going to get exposed to orchestral music or ambient electronic,” she said. “Folks often come away from the festival with a new appreciation for certain genres of music and definitely a better understanding of what Manitoba music scene has to offer.”

The headlining acts include folk artist FONTINE, who was named Indigenous Arist of the Year at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards, Winnipeg indie/alt rock outfit Tired Cossack, and festival mainstay Smoky Tiger. There’ll also be a “Tweener Stage,” where groups like experimental electronic artist Stiff Wiggle will perform between main stage shows.

While it’s previously taken place on the banks of the Roseau River, this year will be the final time it’ll happen at that location. Streilein said the family who hosts the festival on their property are retiring from having large events. The organizers are already searching for a new location for next year’s festival, she said.

Art installations, a scavenger hunt and different workshops will also be happening throughout the weekend. This year a small wedding chapel will be set up where “pay-what-you-can make-believe marriage ceremonies” will be held, said Streilein.

“It’s kind of a riff on marriage ceremonies. We’re inviting people to come to the chapel with anyone they want whether its a partner, a new friend you met at the festival and we’re going to do these little mock Las Vegas-style marriage ceremonies,” she said.

Since one the organizers is a licensed marriage officiant, two people have already reserved a spot to get married at the chapel, Streilein added.

Music kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, with Filipino-Canadian punk rock band The 1221 on the main stage.

Food trucks will be available on site, and people can swim either in the neighbouring river or in the onsite swimming pool called Carpet Beach.

All weekend camping passes are sold out, but day tickets range from $30 to $80, depending on the day. Children 12 and under can attend for free.

Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at www.rainbowtroutmusicfestival.com