Dauphin’s Countryfest has added eight Canadian and regional performers to its June 25–28, 2026 lineup at the Selo Ukraina site, aiming to boost ticket sales and shine a spotlight on homegrown talent.
New acts include Owen Riegling, a breakout star from Mildmay, Ontario; Southern Alberta rancher-turned-songwriter Noeline Hofmann; Indigenous artist Jade Turner of the Misipawistik Cree Nation; folk duo Thelma & James; and Manitoba favourites Alli Walker, Hailey Benedict, The Martin Boys and the Sean Taylor Band. These performers will appear on the festival’s long-standing “Manitoba Stage,” a platform to showcase local musicians; the festival itself was established in 1990.
Organizers say pairing viral headliners such as Jelly Roll and Nate Smith with rising Canadian talent is key to their goal of doubling attendance. An analysis in the Brandon Sun notes that this mix of big names and new voices could draw fresh fans from across the Prairies.
In past years, Countryfest has drawn 10,000 to 15,000 visitors to Dauphin’s roughly 8,500-person community. A successful turnout of 20,000-plus would provide a big lift for local hotels, restaurants and shops. The Manitoba government backed the festival with a $500,000 grant in 2025 to support infrastructure and marketing, highlighting the event’s role as a cultural and economic anchor in the region.
