When Brett Kissel came home to put on an electric concert in St. Paul last June, organizers got swept into the excitement of doing it again, even bigger and better.
“We weren’t even through last year’s incredibly phenomenal successful hometown homecoming when we began talking about why can’t we do this next year, and every year to come,” said event co-producer with Troubadour Event Management Keynon Ternovoy. He recalled that Town of St. Paul Mayor Glenn Andersen came up to him during the night and asked about partnering again to put on a similar event this year.
That conversation planted the seed for the sure-to-be smash hit, Centerfield Music Festival in St. Paul, to be held over June 16 and 17, and Ternovoy and Andersen couldn’t be more thrilled.
While Kissel will be back to headline the event, he’ll be joined by some other big names and a cross-section of talent, including country music star and 2017 Juno nominee Aaron Pritchett, country music legend Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and classic Canadian rock band Trooper.
“We’re incredibly proud, elated, excited, happy about everything, how this all came together,” said Ternovoy, adding the evening will feature star-studded Canadian talent, in an homage to 2017 being Canada’s 150th birthday. “It’s going to be a wonderful event and great weekend.”
MCS Net is once again the title sponsor for the event, joined by other major business sponsors; Andersen notes town council was also on board, thinking it was a no-brainer to spend $50,000 to bring the festival to town.
“From a municipal standpoint, you’re always looking at things you can do for economic activity,” said Andersen, adding the festival is one way to support and thank all the businesses that do so much for the community.
“I think it’s something that should be done every year. Big Valley had to start somewhere too,” he said, pointing out that festival shows a small community can put on a major event that draws people from across the region and Alberta.
So, Jaycee Ballpark is St. Paul’s own Field of Dreams, and if you build it, they will come?
Both Ternovoy and Andersen laugh, but say, yes, that’s exactly the plan.
The site last year proved to be perfect, as far as Ternovoy was concerned, saying, “We love it. You’d be challenged to find a more intimate and inviting music venue. It just made everything so inclusive. You could grab food or cold drink and not have to leave the site.”
That intimate venue, Kissel’s performance, and the excitement of the crowd, all captured on camera by Country Music Television (CMT) Canada caught the attention of industry, said Ternovoy.
“So when we went out to source out bands to come to the second event, they were excited about coming on board. It was about finding the right acts that would play to our diverse audience.”
Obviously, Kissel has had some groundbreaking success, but Ternovoy notes that Pritchett is a “dynamic, tremendous perfomer,” while Johnson is a legendary, prolific songwriter, with so much “soul (and) heartfelt music.”
As for Andersen, he’s most excited about Trooper, whom he still remembers performing before they became a household name, when they played at his high school dance in Red Deer.
But Ternovoy promises of these four first announced acts - “That’s only the tip of the iceberg.” Other names and surprises are up his sleeve, but for now, he only offers the advice to “stay tuned” to find out more.
A first batch of over 2,500 tickets will go on sale online at centerfieldmusicfestival.com; these limited time home-run offers are available for $79.99 plus service charges, while single day passes may be added at a later date. Tickets can also be purchased at the Town of St. Paul office or Northern Source Rentals. The event is again an all-ages show, and children under the age of five will be admitted for free.
“The goal for us to make sure that anyone from three-years-old to 70-years-old comes there, has a wonderful experience and feels at home,” says Ternovoy.
The festival will be part of the lead-up to Canada Day’s activities, which this year is planned as a big event to celebrate not only the country’s birthday, but the 50th anniversary for the UFO landing pad.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting time for St. Paul,” said Andersen, while Ternovoy adds -
“I just want to urge people to come, because it’s going to be a tremendous show.”
