KERROBERT — Kerrobert’s Prairieland Community Centre hosted the Festival of Stars on April 17 to mark the end of the Prairie Sunset Music Festival, which took place April 13–16.
The music festival is divided into four disciplines for young musical talents to choose from: piano, vocal, instrumental, and spoken word. Performers are allowed to enter as many times as they wish in each discipline — as a soloist, in a duo, or as part of a larger group.
The Festival of Stars showcases the performers selected throughout the week, many of whom received scholarships and were recommended by adjudicators to advance to provincials.
This year marked a milestone for the festival, as 2025 will be its 60th anniversary. Organizers expressed gratitude for the many sponsors who helped make the event possible, including those who donated cookies and cake for everyone in the hall to enjoy in celebration of the occasion.
Held annually to celebrate musical arts in the region, the festival saw a decline in individual talent entries this year, but a significant increase in school participation — more than triple the usual number. Three schools received scholarships: Kerrobert Composite School, which had two classes take part, as well as schools from Luseland and Macklin. The audience also enjoyed a performance from the Evesham church choir, which presented an instrumental piece.
To qualify for provincials, participants must earn a mark of 87 or higher. This year’s provincial finals will take place in Regina from May 29 to June 1. Later, the Canada West Performing Arts Festival will be held in Saskatoon from July 24 to 26.
Six participants were recommended by adjudicators to compete at provincials: Rhett Bruce, Mariah Bakanec, Gideon Bakanec, Eliana Bakanec, Brooke Bruce and Liné Linde. These performers will now compete against other district winners from across Saskatchewan. Prairie Sunset has produced many provincial winners in past years, particularly in spoken word.
Eliana Bakanec, Brooke Bakanec and Liné Linde all qualified for the Canada West classes. Eliana qualified for piano; Brooke, for classical voice and musical theatre; and Linde, for speech, classical voice and musical theatre. They will represent Saskatchewan at the Canada West Performing Arts Festival in July. This is Brooke’s first time qualifying for Canada West, Eliana’s third, and Linde’s second for speech and third for classical voice and musical theatre. Linde has advanced to the finals in her disciplines for the last two years.
With many talented youth on stage, the Festival of Stars was well attended by residents from surrounding communities, who enjoyed a night of music and spoken word. The 2026 Prairie Sunset Music Festival will be held in Luseland.
