SUMMERSIDE, PE - The City of Summerside is excited to announce that the previously announced free Blue Rodeo concert as part of its Canada Day Celebrations presented by Consolidated Credit Union happening along the Summerside Waterfront will be featured as part of CBC’s National Canada Day Broadcast.

 “Having Blue Rodeo headline our Canada Day celebrations is a perfect way to mark the occasion. With a full lineup of incredible Canadian entertainment and the added excitement of showcasing Summerside to the entire country through CBC’s national broadcast, this will be an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and community pride right here on our waterfront,” said Mayor Dan Kutcher.

 In celebration of Blue Rodeo’s 40th anniversary, the iconic Canadian band will headline Summerside’s Canada Day festivities. This milestone performance will be part of a diverse, all-Canadian lineup featuring entertainment and activities for all ages. The City is also working closely with francophone and multicultural communities to ensure the event is inclusive, vibrant, and reflective of Summerside’s rich cultural fabric.

 Additional musicians on the main stage for Canada Day celebrations in Summerside include:

•  The Starlings, a 50-member choir led by Angie Arsenault, burst onto the scene in 2023 with their blend of fresh talent and seasoned performers. They’ve wowed sold-out crowds at Summerside’s Harbourfront Theatre, delivering electric performances, rich harmonies, bold arrangements and a genre-bending mix that leaves audiences buzzing.
•  Nathan Wiley is a multiple ECMA and Music PEI award winning songwriter from Summerside, PE. His blend of classic sounds with a modern, slightly world wearyperspective has struck a chord with listeners, as songs full of subtle melodies and lyrics addressing those unquenchable yearnings inside all of us wormed their way into their ears.
•  Down with Darby is a band originating from Summerside, PEI that enjoys playing a variety of current country music, mixed with a variety of rock and alternative favorites. The band name originates from the significance of a small street in their hometown where members attended Greenfield Elementary School. Darby Drive was the site of street hockey games, games of “jailbreak”, capture the flag, and so much more. To make a long story short, it all happened, and it all started on Darby Drive!
•  DeeDee Austin is 19-year-old Indigenous pop powerhouse from Nova Scotia and Abegweit First Nation on Prince Edward Island. Her high energy performances reflect both contemporary and her Indigenous influences – bringing deeply personal experience into her lyrics and music. Her infectious energy grabs her audiences and holds them tight for every minute she is on the stage. She was recently awarded the Golden Buzzer by judges Howie Mandel and Shania Twain at Canada’s Got Talent ’25! DeeDee’s goal is to touch the hearts of her listeners and to consistently strive to make change in the world by coming together as one with love, peace, equality and friendship.
•  Aubin pi la S.C.B. (Sea Can Band) is an Acadian rock n’ roll band from Abram-Village in the Evangeline Region of PEI. They released their first album Yousque l'hell in 2022 and were ranked the #1 band on Sirius XM Channel 166 for the Spring Quarter of that same year. Originally formed in Iqaluit (Nunavut) in 2019, the group is now based on the Island and have garnered Music PEI nominations and awards including the 2025

Prix de l’Acadie. Their live show is loud, funny, full of energy and guaranteed to get the crowd moving.

 Summerside’s Canada Day event is made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island, whose funding helps bring iconic entertainment to the city. Being part of the CBC’s National Canada Day Broadcast will showcase Summerside to viewers across the country, highlighting the city’s vibrant community.

 Sarah Millar, CEO of Consolidated Credit Union, the presenting sponsor of this year’s Canada Day Celebrations in Summerside had this to say: “At Consolidated Credit Union, we’re more than just a place to bank —we’re a part of the community. We’re proud to support events that bring people together and shine a national spotlight on everything that makes Summerside so special. Celebrating our city on this stage is a moment of pride for all of us—it reflects our cooperative values, our vibrant community spirit, and the energy that makes Summerside a truly unique place to call home”.

 Looking ahead, Mayor Kutcher emphasized Summerside’s goal of growing a signature, homegrown Canada Day festival: “Our vision extends far beyond this year. We’re focused on expanding the festival, investing in infrastructure, and building a Canada Day celebration that not only showcases our waterfront but keeps visitors coming back to Summerside year after year.”

 Final details of the Canada Day Lineup and activities will continue to be announced over the next few weeks as we move closer to July 1st.

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 The City of Summerside is located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island, Canada with the mindset of promoting and advancing its small city with big opportunities. Summerside offers a diverse market and skilled workforce and is a leader in sectors such as green energy, sport tourism and rapid economic growth. To learn more, please visit www.summerside.ca or connect through Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

 For more information or media inquires:

 Tanner Doiron

 Acting Director of Communications

 City of Summerside

 [email protected]