The countdown is on to Farm Fest 2026.
The music festival returns Saturday, June 6 from 2-9 p.m. on a farmyard just south of Winkler.
Now in its sixth year, the focus of the day remains the same as always: providing an opportunity to hear good music for a good cause.
“That first year the group came and said, ‘Hey, this guy needs some money for back surgery, let’s do something.’ We didn’t even call it Farm Fest yet,” recalls organizer Betty Hiebert
In the years since, they’ve held one and sometimes two festivals annually for a range of local causes.
“That’s the only reason we do this,” Hiebert says, noting they’ve raised anywhere from $6,000 all the way up to $35,000, with thousands of people coming out to enjoy an afternoon and evening of country and gospel music.
This year’s lineup includes The Threshermen at 2 p.m., The Porch Brothers at 3 p.m., Dusty Roads Band at 4 p.m., Jacob and Trudy Reimer at 5 p.m., Vic and Linda Wolfe at 6 p.m, Ed Wayne at 7 p.m., and Big City Filter at 8 p.m.
“It’s a good variety,” says Hiebert. “Starting with gospel and then moving more into country. And then we usually end the evening with something that’s more kind of pop, just a fun band in the evening; Big City Filter is going to be amazing.”
Admission is free, but as always they will be accepting donations. This year’s recipient organization is Hopes Journey Home.
“They’re working in building a home in Portage la Prairie for women in crisis pregnancy situations,” explains Hiebert. “It’s a home where they can live for the duration of their pregnancy in the hopes of having the baby instead of aborting.”
Hopes Journey Home rep Glenda Dyck shares they’ve been working towards this facility for years.
“We had our first prayer meeting seven years ago,” she says, explaining the group has its roots with four families who all had connections with the foster care system and saw a keen need for a maternity home that would give women the ability to choose life instead of ending a pregnancy due to a lack of housing options and support.
They broke ground on phase one of the five-bedroom home in 2023.
”We’ve seen God’s hand so many times” in the fundraising and building process, Dyck shares. “Now we are almost ready to open.”
When it opens later this year, the facility will be available not just to women in the Portage area but across the province, Dyck notes, offering mentorship throughout their pregnancy and transitional support afterwards as well.
“We have a real passion for this,” she says. “It is our mission.”
They’re raising funds not only for future phases of the building project but also the facility’s ongoing operations once it opens, Dyck says, noting they have faith that God and the community will come through for them on that front.
In addition to the music, Farm Fest will also have bouncy castles and face painting for the kids, 50/50 tickets up for grabs, silent auction prizes, a beef raffle draw at 7 p.m., and food available for purchase from Hopes Journey Home’s own food truck.
To take in the festival, head 1.5 miles south on 14th St. until you see driveway #10090. There will be signs up to guide you to parking. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
If you’ve not been before, Hiebert says you’re in for a treat.
“It’s a fun, outdoor family day. If you like music, just come listen and give to a good cause.”
