Grab your lawn chair. The Railway City Music and Arts Festival takes over Pinafore Park for four free days, Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16.
A group of local citizens started the festival back in 1994 as an easy-to-reach street festival for the city, something for all ages to enjoy. It grew into a local tradition over the next 25 years but never had a permanent home, and it paused for a stretch because of COVID. When it came back in 2022, organizers refocused on music and arts and set out to finally give the festival a home. It is now based at Pinafore Park.
The festival bills more than 60 bands over the four days, spread across three stages: the Main Stage at the bandshell, the Emerging Artists Stage at the dance pavilion, and the Community Stage at the Lakeside Pavilion. Main Stage music runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Thursday starts at 3 p.m., and Sunday winds down by 8 p.m.), and the full schedule covers everything from blues, classic rock, and country cover bands to singer-songwriters, student showcases, and free kids’ music classes.
Each day has its own flavour. Thursday’s Main Stage builds from progressive rock and blues into a funk and Motown set, then closes the night with EDM and house DJs. Friday belongs to rock, running from the Regal Beagles at 11 a.m. through 90s grunge covers from Stuck in the 90s to a classic rock and metal close from Down ‘N’ Dirty. Saturday leans blues through the afternoon before turning to rock at night, with an Ozzy Osbourne tribute (Ozzy Forever) ahead of closers The Jailbirds. Sunday’s Main Stage leans hard into tribute acts. It opens with a Santana set from Supernatural and closes with Fleetwood Mac covers from Sweetwood Mac, while the afternoon mixes country from Buck Twenty with a Blue Rodeo tribute (Diamond Mine) and a Beatles tribute (Beatles in Blue).
There is plenty beyond the music too. A kids’ zone with hands-on activities, a Car Show, a Charity Ride, food vendors, and local artisans are all part of the weekend. Every show is free thanks to the festival’s sponsors, though organizers suggest downloading a free ticket through TicketScene ahead of time to guarantee entry to your favourite sets, and it gets you 10 percent off festival merch on-site.
Pinafore Park, 95 Elm St. Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16. See the full lineup and schedule on the festival’s website.
Sources: Festival history, About RCMAF · Full lineup and schedule · Festival homepage (60+ bands)
By Anthony Zruna · About the LocVox Newsroom
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