Music on the Barge is a treasured summertime tradition and this year the Town of Gravenhurst is adding five additional bands to the concert series lineup. Best of all, the town is asking people to choose the five bands that will perform.
“All people have to do is visit our Battle for the Barge page on Engage Gravenhurst, where they can listen to the bands vying for a spot, and then they can vote for the five bands they would like to see,” said Shawna Patterson, director of recreation and culture for the Town of Gravenhurst. “The five bands that receive the most votes will be made an offer to join us this year.”
The town’s Battle for the Barge contest runs Feb. 28 to March 28 and more than a dozen groups are participating, including the Baytowne Big Band, Swingin Blackjacks, and Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band.
Music on the Barge, the largest outdoor concert series north of Toronto, dates back more than 70 years. Bands perform from the barge at Gull Lake Rotary Park.
Twelve bands will perform as part of the 2024 series. Traditionally, the concerts have taken place on Sunday nights and that will continue this year with the addition of other performance dates during the week.
The town will announce the full lineup – including the results of the Battle for the Barge contest – in May.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz said she looks forward to another summer of fantastic music in Gravenhurst.
“Music on the Barge is always such a wonderful time in our community. People of all ages join us. We have families that have been attending for generations,” Mayor Lorenz said. “We are happy to be expanding the lineup – each year we have significant interest from bands wanting to perform. And we are excited that people in our community can help us choose some of the groups.”
Additional resources
