HOW THE FESTIVAL BEGAN
In 2009, Coney Island residents Ferg Devins, Michael, and Cheryl O'Flaherty, and Bill and Debbie Wallace wanted to create an event that would bring the community together through music. It was an idea that came from Bill and Debbie after performing at Falcon Lake that summer. “Why don’t we have a festival on Coney Island,” they inquired. With that vision, they organized the first "Maybe Annual Coney Island Music Festival" on the beach at Coney Island. The Lake of the Woods Arts Community (LOWAC) were the original charity associated with the festival. The "Maybe Annual" tagline became an ongoing joke, as the founders weren’t sure if it would be a one-time event or something that would continue for a few years. However, the festival quickly gained popularity, with local residents showing enthusiastic support.
As the festival grew, they City of Kenora built a stage attached to the back of the beach pavilion, designed to accommodate professional sound and lighting equipment. Through annual grants and sponsorships, the event expanded its reach and continued to thrive. The Festival even survived covid with the 2020 event being staged on a dock, broadcasting to the bay for boaters to enjoy.
In 2024, Ferg Devins, Cheryl and Michael passed the torch as the organizing committee, but the festival's success remains a testament to the hard work of a dedicated team of committee members who ensure its smooth planning and execution every year. Now known affectionately as "ConeyFest," the Coney Island Music Festival has become a staple of the summer, taking place every year on the Sunday before the August long weekend. We look forward to many more years of music, community, and fun in the sun!
A special shout out to The Standard and Wawanesa, along with the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation and our annual donors for their years of support for the festival.
HISTORY OF CONEY ISLAND, LOTW
Coney Island has long been at the heart of Kenora’s tourism industry, drawing visitors to the pristine shores of Lake of the Woods. Its journey as a popular destination began in the late 1800s, during the early days of Rat Portage (now Kenora). In the mid-1880s, a property dispute between the Keewatin Lumbering and Manufacturing Company and William McCarthy, a longtime resident of the island, sparked controversy over the ownership of Coney Island. McCarthy had been renting camping spaces to visitors, but the legal wrangling over land claims, compounded by the ongoing Ontario-Manitoba boundary conflict, lasted several years. By 1893, the issue was resolved, and McCarthy was granted several lots on Coney Island. These lots were later transferred to Charles Wilson, and the beloved Sandy Beach area was gifted to the town as a park and recreation space.
By the mid-1890s, Coney Island had established itself as a summer retreat, known for its stunning sand beach and rustic charm. Visitors flocked to the island to escape their daily hardships and enjoy the rejuvenating beauty of the lake. The town of Rat Portage quickly recognized the island’s potential, passing by-laws in 1894 to regulate public behavior and allow for the construction of changing facilities and amusement buildings. One of the earliest attractions was a “Toboggan Slide,” a beachside thrill that delighted visitors of all ages. As the island’s popularity grew, seasonal events like dances and concerts became part of the draw, solidifying Coney’s status as a summer hotspot.
The early success of Coney Island fueled Rat Portage’s ambitions to grow its tourism industry. By 1898, the town was actively promoting itself as a vacation destination, calling on citizens to improve the town’s infrastructure and welcome tourists with open arms. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) played a pivotal role in increasing the influx of visitors, and by the early 1900s, the tourism industry in Kenora was booming. Hotels were renovated, gardens planted, and sidewalks repaired, all with the goal of making Rat Portage a premier summer destination.
Coney Island's charm was further enhanced by the introduction of ferry services, including the legendary steamer Argyle, which began shuttling passengers between Kenora and Coney Island in 1900. The Argyle provided reliable transportation for summer visitors and was a symbol of the town’s burgeoning tourism industry. Despite occasional mishaps, including a memorable collision with another steamer in 1902, the Argyle remained a fixture on the lake until it was retired in 1936, replaced by the Argyle II. Today, Coney Island continues to be a beloved escape, where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy its natural beauty and rich history.