The musicians receiving feedback from the adjudicator. (Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

By Jett Schwaier

IN THE COMMUNITY

Video: Medicine Hat’s 71st annual Rotary Music Festival heads into the final weekend showcases

Mar 19, 2026 | 4:51 PM

Young musicians are taking centre stage in the 71st annual Rotary Music Festival in Medicine Hat, with final performances and major awards set to highlight the nearly two-week celebration of local talent.

The festival features young musicians performing across a range of disciplines, taking place at various locations including St. Barnabas Anglican Church, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, and the Medicine Hat College Theatre.

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Dave Panabaker, a member of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, said the festival wraps up with two key events set for the weekend, as the Rose Bowl takes place on Friday, March 20, and the Stars of the Festival is being presented on Sunday, March 22.

“The Rose Bowl is really the participants who have been noted for excellence by the adjudicators. There’s one in each discipline, usually the performances are amazing, and it’s great to have a nice big audience to support the kids,” Panabaker said.

“The Stars of the Festival on Sunday night at St. Barnabas is where some of the kids who didn’t get the best of the best get to perform, and some of the ones who may have touched the adjudicators’ hearts are allowed to perform,” he added.

“Admission at the Rose Bowl and at Stars of the Festival is free. There is an opportunity for donations, but there is no cost to see it.”

This year’s event has shifted more of its programming to downtown venues in response to increasing costs at Medicine Hat College. However, Panabaker said the transition has been largely successful, with community venues providing support despite some challenges related to parking and accessibility.

“I think the festival has been very careful about its fees and [is] working very hard to keep the festival affordable for everybody,” Panabaker said.

“And one of the issues that we’ve run into with the college is just that it’s become more expensive. It’s a wonderful facility, but it just becomes more expensive,” he added

“This actually takes the festival back to its roots, where it began 71 years ago in the churches downtown, so, from that perspective, it’s fun.”

Beyond competition, the festival continues to play a key role in developing confidence and performance skills among participants, with some going on to pursue professional careers in music and others benefiting from the experience in broader aspects of life.

Panabaker said the festival remains an important part of music education in the community as it continues to evolve.

“We are looking forward to the future. We don’t know exactly what that will bring, because the festival has changed over the years, but it is still a significant part of the education of musicians in this community,” Panabaker said.