Canada’s Walk of Fame will honour Stompin’ Tom Connors on Canada Day this year just as the second annual Stompin’ Tom Festival is in full swing.
“We are really excited to bring Canada’s Walk of Fame to more people across Canada. As part of our 20th anniversary, we are building a truly national platform to celebrate Canadian achievement,” said Jeffrey Latimer, Chief Executive Officer of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, Canada’s Walk of Fame is deepening its commitment when it comes to achievement across Canada. Canada’s Walk of Fame Hometown Stars, presented by Cineplex, is a new program that brings the honour home for its inductees with a permanent plaque recognizing their induction, mounted at the place of their choice. Stompin’ Tom’s plaque will be unveiled in Skinners Pond at the Stompin’ Tom Festival.
“Stompin’ Tom is a Canadian treasure, so it really is fitting that we are able to formally unveil his Hometown Star in Skinners Pond on Canada Day,” said Latimer.
The Stompin’ Tom Festival, at the Stompin’ Tom Centre in Skinners Pond, takes place this year between June 29 and July 2. The event kicks off that Friday with an outdoor performance by the son of Stompin’ Tom, Taw Connors, with a performance that evening by West Prince, P.E.I., artist Daniel Drouin.
Saturday welcomes award-winning Canadian country star George Canyon with special guest Ben Chase, an award-winning country musician from Palmer Road, P.E.I.
“A unique thing about the Stompin’ Tom festival is that it features all Canadian artists,” says Anne Arsenault, festival director and general manager of the Stompin’ Tom Centre. “That is something Tom himself wanted — he was a fierce Canadian who stood up and fought for his principles and recognition of home-grown Canadian music — this is why Canada Day weekend is the most appropriate time to be celebrating his legacy with a festival in his honour and paying it forward featuring new and existing Canadian artists!”
On Canada Day on the outdoor stage, the festival will feature Whiskey Jack presents Songs & stories of Stompin’ Tom, a portrait of Whiskey Jack’s years on stage with Stompin’ Tom that includes anecdotes and songs from their years as cast members on CBC’s Tommy Hunter Show, including a multimedia presentation featuring audio clips and photos from the band’s years on stage. Whiskey Jack members include founding member Duncan Fremlin, Douglas John Cameron, Randy Morrison, Eric Jackson and Dave Carruthers. Joining Whiskey Jack will be Canadian country and folk artist Cindy Church while also performing that day will be Waylon’s Drinking Buddies.
To conclude the weekend, the festival will present the premiere of “My Stompin’ Grounds – A Stompin’ Tom Story” at the Stompin’ Tom Centre on Monday, July 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with seating at 6:30 p.m. This show is one of two dinner theatre shows offered at the Stompin’ Tom Centre throughout the summer featuring chef-prepared P.E.I. menus.
Tickets are on sale now, available at the Stompin’ Tom Centre Box Office (14024 Route 14, Skinners Pond), by phone at 902-882-3214 and online at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stompin-tom-festival-tickets.
For more information on the Stompin’ Tom Festival and a full schedule of events, visit StompinTomCentre.com/Stompin-Tom-Fest.
