By Kim Kerr-Dearsley
Now in its 8th year, Boots and Hearts – Canada’s biggest country music festival – promises to be the best yet.
Taking place at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, near Orillia, from August 8th to 11th, this much anticipated event follows hot on the heels of a recent Rolling Stones concert held at the same venue. Featuring over 35 leading country acts, the festival attracts thousands of fans from across North America and has established itself as a must-play staple for the top bands and artists.
“Boots and Hearts has become known as the summer event where fans can expect to see both current and rising stars over four days of music,” says Lisa Zechmeister, Director of Booking and Development. “This year’s lineup delivers exactly that, with a new guard of talent featured amongst mega hitmakers.”
“Welcoming two leading female artists like Miranda Lambert, a country icon who has excelled in the industry for nearly two decades, and chart-topping artists like Maren Morris is truly an exciting experience for fans this year,” adds Zechmeister. “It’s very special to have artists’ Cole Swindell and Kip Moore perform on the Boots and Hearts mainstage. 2019 is going to be another epic year for our boots fans!”
Other confirmed acts include headliners Jason Aldean along with favourites Chase Rice, Michael Ray, Tim Hicks, Carly Pearce, Mitchell Tenpenny, and LANCO.
Boots and Hearts Makes a Splash
So popular has this must-attend upcoming event become that’s it’s now widely regarded as one of the top things to do in Ontario for concert goers, as evidenced by its recent nomination for the US-based Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Festival of the Year’ award.
“We are incredibly honoured to be nominated for this year's Academy of Country Music Festival of the Year award," said Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live, the group responsible for creating and hosting the event. “Being the only Canadian festival nominated is the ultimate testament to how incredible our team is. Together, we strive to bring the very best in country music to fans and we are humbled by the industry’s recognition. We couldn't be more excited for another great festival this year and are confident our fans will feel the same.”
Boots and Hearts has also been awarded the Canadian Country Music Association’s Festival of the Year, which it also achieved in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
“Thomas Rhett called the event ‘the best festival in the entire planet’ and the audience certainly felt the power of his words,” adds Dunford. “Hearing 40,000 people cheer and sing along is an experience our festival takes so much pride in sharing with our fans.”
Dunford is also extremely excited about the calibre of the talent on display at this year’s Boots and Hearts festival.
“The 2019 headliner announcement is so diverse with its mix of country superstars, like Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, alongside the powerful new voice of Kane Brown,” she says.
Also confirmed for the 2019 edition of Boots and Hearts are:
- The Cadillac Three
- Morgan Wallen
- Dylan Scott
- Ashley McBryde
- Ryan Hurd
- RaeLynn
- Tyler Rich
- Runaway June
- Danielle Bradbery
- Brandon Lay
- The Wild Feathers
- Jameson Rodgers
- HARDY
- Shawn Austin
- Levi Hummon’
- Filmore
- Drew Baldridge
- MacKenzie Porter
- Jake Rose
- Eric Ethridge
- The Abrams
- Tenille Arts
- Kris Barclay
- Owen Barney… and many more!
Boots and Hearts Boasts More Than Great Music
Back by popular demand again this year are a wide variety of other fun things to do at Boots and Hearts, including the magnificent LED Ferris wheel and carnival games, as well as the popular beach volleyball court.
For those looking to stay on-site, organisers have added reserved RV camping as well as reserved tent camping. The tent camping features 400 sq ft of additional space per camping, satisfying the need among larger groups wanting to camp together throughout the four days of the festival.
As Canada's largest outdoor event venue, Burl's Creek can handle more 100,000 concertgoers – including 45,000 campers – on its 600 acre site off Hwy 11 north of Barrie Ontario. Other scheduled events to be held here include the Barrie Automotive Flea Market, as well as the first-ever Big Sky Music Festival.
For tickets for the 2019 festival, as well as for RV and tent camping spots, as well as details of performers and accommodations, visit www.bootsandhearts.com.
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Kim Kerr-Dearsley is a music fan and writer based in Muskoka. Yes, she does own a pair of cowboy boots…