Boots and Hearts comes to a bittersweet end
Canada’s largest camping and music festival came to a close on Sunday in Oro-Medonte, as Boots and Hearts was capped off by headliner Jason Aldean’s performance on the main stage.
"We’ve got more than 25,000 [people],” said Todd Jenereux, executive vice-president for the festival and Republic Live as Burl’s Creek Event Grounds were being packed up on Monday. “This was by far our best execution year [and] the most fun we’ve ever had.”
After Thursday’s kickoff party, 30 performers took the stage from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday evening was headlined by Thomas Rhett’s performance, which was followed by a handful of Canadian artists taking the stage on Sunday. Among them, Elmvale’s Dayna Reid and Innisfil’s Brian John Hardwood, who both performed at Boots and Hearts for the first time after previously attending for many years as fans.
Jackson Dean performing at Boots and Hearts in Oro- Medonte Ont., on Saturday August 10, 2024 (CTVNews/Dave Sullivan)
"I’ve came every year in the audience, just praying that one day I’d be on stage,” said Hardwood. “I just worked me butt off and kept going,”
Hardwood and Reid also confirmed they had plenty of family and friends in the crowd.
"It’s my hope that I can motivate some other small town kid just like from Elmvale Ontario to chase their dreams too,” said Reid.
Avril Lavigne was a surprise guest for Nate Smith’s performance Sunday evening. Before headliner Jason Aldean, Alberta-based band Emerson Drive performed for what will likely be their final time at Boots and Hearts, as it was a stop on their farewell tour that was announced in 2023.
“I think this is extra special for guys like us that understand that it’s a unique experience to be able to play the festivals that we do have up here [in Canada],” said Brad Mates, the band’s lead singer.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Officials say planning for next year’s Boots and Hearts festival got underway months ago, and that they are currently focused on booking their headline performers. The All Your Friends Fest takes place at Burl’s Creek the weekend of August 23-24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7027977.1725635867!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
TONIGHT Watch live here: The Trump-Harris 2024 presidential debate is tonight
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will meet face-to-face tonight in the ABC presidential debate. Here's how to watch the event that comes just two months before election day.
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
6 things to watch for when Kamala Harris debates Donald Trump
The fundamental question ahead of their meeting in Philadelphia, one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation, is whether – and how – the presidential candidates can deliver a compelling message.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.
Terror suspect entered Canada with student visa in June 2023, immigration minister confirms
A Pakistani citizen who was arrested last week in Quebec and charged with plotting a terrorist attack in New York City came to Canada on a student visa in June 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed.
Canadians want to tip 15% at restaurants, don't want to tip for takeout, survey says
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
'A decisive time': Mark Carney calls new role 'an honour,' dodges questions about running for office
In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said it's 'an honour' to serve in his new role, but wouldn't say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether he'll recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
Joly says Canada bars any Canadian-made arms from reaching Gaza
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Ottawa prohibits any Canadian-made weapons from reaching the Gaza Strip.
NDP MPs embrace distance from 'radioactive' Trudeau brand, as Singh convenes caucus in Montreal
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal. There, his MPs are embracing their new-found distance from what one called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'radioactive' brand.