“July is, without a doubt, my favourite month of the year. Is it a little juvenile to still have a designated favourite month of the year? Perhaps, but I can live with that. Lingering associations from childhood conflating summer and freedom aside, every year, July rolls around with its long, sunny days that feel just a little more alive than the rest of the year—like they could unfold in any which way. Part of the reason there’s so much possibility hanging in the air can certainly be attributed to the commencement of festival season, which is why, for our July issue, we’re revisiting what has become something of a tradition here at The Walleye: the summer festival guide. This year, we’re highlighting 18 festivals and events, most occurring locally and a handful that might encourage you to take that summer road trip you know you want to go on, that are sure to check a few items off your summer bucket list. 

In keeping with the theme of our cover story, Kris Ketonen gets the inside scoop on who you can expect to see performing every Wednesday night at Live on the Waterfront, Kelsey Raynard finds all kinds of Stuff We Like for cowboys and cowgirls to help them get ready for Country on the Bay, featured contributor Sara Kanutski talks with Crossroad Music about their second summer concert series, and Taylor Onski gives us a preview of the upcoming Superior Theatre Festival summer season.”

 -Sidney Ulakovic