CFR Tailgate Party
🎉 Get ready to kick up some dust before the chutes open!
📍Ice District Plaza, Edmonton
🗓 October 7–9 | 4 PM–6 PM
🗓 October 10 | 2 PM–6 PM
Get ready for four unforgettable days of western celebration at the 52nd Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo — and it all kicks off with the FREE Tailgate Party at ICE District!
Enjoy daily activities & entertainment such as:
🔥 Lounge Zones – Kick back, relax, and catch up with friends between the action
🎸 Live Music Daily – Plus a special live band performance on Saturday
📸 Photo Op Stations – Snap a pic and make some memories at themed photo spots
🤠 Mechanical Bull Powered by Jobber – Think you've got what it takes? Hop on and find out!
👨🏻 The Stache Spotlight – Strike a pose on our mustache-themed photo wall
🚚 Canadian Icehouse Food Truck – Grab a bite without missing the fun
🍹 Full-Service Bar – Serving cold drinks for guests 18+
📻 Live Broadcasts from CFCW – Catch the excitement live on-site
🎯 Interactive Games & Displays – Play, explore, and get involved
🚜 Equipment Displays from Liftboss & CLAAS – Get up close with impressive machinery
🖋️ Tattoo Booth by Emsilvatattoos & Aestheticslabb – Add a little western flair
✂️ Mullet & Mustache Booth Powered by Liftboss – The perfect photo-worthy look
🌵 Ellie's Patch Bar – Create your own custom hat pin and take home a unique keepsake
Daily Themed Events
Wednesday:
Indigenous Games by Lyndon Suntjens
Market highlight: Indigenous vendor Beadyl.Juice Accessories & Beading & SCA Pop-up
Thursday
Retro Carnival Games
Market highlight: Good Gals Vintage & SCA Pop-up
Friday
Canadian Maple Shack – Maple Taffy Making & Lumberjack Games
Edmonton ELKS Games Display
Market Highlight: SCA pop-up
Saturday
Edmonton ELKS Game Display
Mascots – ELKS, AB Blue Cross, Riverhawks, Louis the Lion
Balloon Artist
Face Painter
Market Highlight: Feature Partner Program – Super Amigos Mexican – Hot Sauce & SCA Pop-up
Tailgate Performers - October 7
Justin Hogg | Alberta Country Collective | 4:00 PM
An artist that truly wears his heart on his sleeve, Justin’s focus has always been to remain genuine and authentic in his music and songwriting. Drawing on influences like Keith Ur ban, Rascall Flatts, and Hunter Hayes, his style is a blend of country, rock, and pop music with his own twist of originality. Justin writes music with the goal of connecting with his listeners and showing them his true authentic self through his songwriting. Justin’s hard work and dedication have afforded him opportunities to open for the likes of country superstars Jess Moskaluke, Brett Kissel and Aaron Pritchett, among others.
Amber Williams | Alberta Country Collective | 5:00 PM
Raised in the rugged foothills along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Amber Williams delivers neo-traditional country music rooted in honest stories, hard work, and the kind of songs that feel like home - blending traditional country, bluegrass soul, and a touch of southern rock grit into a sound that can be described as “Dolly meets ZZ Top”. With powerhouse vocals, a fearless stage presence, and lyrics drawn from real life, Amber has become one of Alberta’s most notable emerging artists, earning accolades including the 2022 Voice of BVJ, 2025 Vista Radio Star, and 2025 Community Votes Red Deer Entertainer of the Year. Whether she’s igniting a honky-tonk dancefloor or delivering a heartfelt ballad, this high-maintenance hillbilly creates the kind of live show you don’t just hear - you experience.
Tailgate Performers - October 8
Megan Paige | Country Music Alberta | 4:00 PM
Megan Paige is a singer/songwriter from small town Alberta. She has shared her passion for music on stages such as The Bluebird Cafe and Festival Place. In 2024 she was awarded the NACMAI female entertainer and vocalist of the year.
Justin Hogg | Country Music Alberta | 5:00 PM
An artist that truly wears his heart on his sleeve, Justin’s focus has always been to remain genuine and authentic in his music and songwriting. Drawing on influences like Keith Ur ban, Rascall Flatts, and Hunter Hayes, his style is a blend of country, rock, and pop music with his own twist of originality. Justin writes music with the goal of connecting with his listeners and showing them his true authentic self through his songwriting. Justin’s hard work and dedication have afforded him opportunities to open for the likes of country superstars Jess Moskaluke, Brett Kissel and Aaron Pritchett, among others.
Tailgate Performers - October 9
Justin Sutton | Alberta Music | 4:00 PM
Justin Sutton was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, raised in Hay River, and spent time in Musquodoboit Harbour, NS, before settling in Moncton, New Brunswick for his high school years. After studying sound engineering in Halifax, he headed west to Alberta, where he’s been ever since- turning miles of lived experience into songs. Last summer, Justin traveled from the Yukon to Newfoundland, focused on performing and building real connections with audiences along the way.
Olivia Rose | Alberta Music | 5:00 PM
Songwriting and performing since 8 years old gave Olivia Rose the confidence to pursue a career in music. Performing on the intermission stage for George Canyon led to opening slots for the likes of: Paul Brandt, Brett Kissel, Johnny Reid, Tyler Joe Miller and Meghan Patrick.
Focusing more directly on songwriting in the past year, Olivia Rose has been hard at work on a debut album project, which began with her signing to the artist management company Lemmon Entertainment. This steadfast country artist has found a means of connecting with her fans through her charming nature, honest lyrics, and continues to show the world what she has to offer with her music.
Tailgate Performers - October 10
Andrea Nixon | Alberta Music | 2:00 PM
Andrea Nixon rides into the Canadian Finals Rodeo with Barbed Wire Dreams, a track music writer Mike Bell calls “a walk through knee high, bittersweet grass and thistles… a promise of better days wrapped in summer in the city sadness, an Emmylou esque testament to surviving dream stealers," off her long anticipated forthcoming record by the same name. Known for her grit, twang, and honest storytelling, Andrea brings real life heartache, humor, and resilience to every stage. She’s appeared at ACMA Fan Fest, Rogers Hometown Hockey, CCMA and Canadian Music Week showcases, and opened for Jessica Mitchell and more. After her debut Diary of a Housewife spent 14 weeks on Earshot’s Folk/Roots chart, Barbed Wire Dreams marks her next bold ride.
Cronic Dawgs | 3:00 PM
Cronic Dawgs isn’t just a band—it’s a full-blown experience. Born out of a jam session over two decades ago, we’ve grown from a local hobby group into a legendary seven-member party machine known for our genre-bending playlists, powerhouse vocals, and entertaining live shows.
From classic rock to country bangers, pop throwbacks to unexpected covers that get the whole room singing—we don’t just play music, we throw a party.
We’re loud. We’re tight. We’re the reason your grandma still talks about that one night.
With a loyal following, new blood breathing fresh fire into our sound, and a reputation for bringing unforgettable energy to every stage—we’re not just performing, we’re creating moments you’ll be talking about for years.
Welcome to the Dawg pack. Hope you stretched first
Interested in partnering with the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
We’re exploring tailgate partnership opportunities that connect brands with fans during CFR Week.
