WestFest is changing the story of Sault Ste. Marie's West End, one stage at a time

The Aug. 8 festival brings live music, local vendors and community pride to Anna Marinelli Park while creating opportunities for West Village youth

WestFest 2026 brings live music, local vendors and neighbourhood energy to Anna Marinelli Park on Aug. 8. The non-profit festival runs from 4 to 11 p.m., with music starting at 5 p.m. Rooted in the West Village, WestFest connects local musicians, artists, businesses and community groups in one outdoor gathering. The festival platform highlights local talent while supporting artistic and cultural activity in the neighbourhood.

This year’s lineup includes Riverside Stasis, Ava Nori, Carmen Muto, Golden Scoundrels and Ontarians. Local vendors and businesses include Outspoken, Stackburger, Evergreen Tattoo and Cafe4Good, along with others joining the event. WestFest reinvests all profits into future community programming, local artists, youth opportunities and ongoing revitalization efforts in the neighbourhood.

“WestFest is about more than one day of music in the park, it's about giving the kids of the West Village a stage of their own and showing them that art and opportunity belong here just as much as anywhere else in the city,” said Claudia Daniels, founder of the West Village Revitalization Project. “For too long, this neighbourhood has carried a reputation it doesn't deserve. We want people to come to James Street, hear the music, meet their neighbours, and leave with a different story about who we are,” Daniels continued.

The festival takes place at Anna Marinelli Park, 169 James St., Sault Ste. Marie. Entry is by donation. More information is available at westfestlive.ca and on Instagram at West Village Renewed.