The final day of the Barnside Harvest Festival leaned hard into country, and honestly, it couldn’t have been a better fit. Paterson Park in Ladner was soaked in rain for most of the morning, but by 2:30 the skies cleared, the temperature crept up, and the crowd settled in for one last round of music, dogs, and local beer.

Sunday was “dog day,” which meant the park was full of wagging tails, costumes, and a rescue booth stocked with puppies that stole just as much attention as the performers. Add in a row of dog-friendly market stands and it almost felt like a county fair. Boots stomped, dogs barked, and the music rolled.

We started the day at 3 p.m. with Madisyn Gifford, who made the most of her slot. Newly signed to 604 Records, she played nearly an hour, unusually generous for such an early set, and showed the polish of an artist quickly on the rise. Her mix of pop-country hooks and confident stage presence set the tone for the day: upbeat, heartfelt, and proudly homegrown.

Tony Stevens was scheduled next, but rain-soaked sound equipment delayed his start by fifteen minutes. Once things were sorted, though, his easygoing charm carried him through. Stevens kept the mood light, joking about the weather between songs, and the crowd was forgiving as most people were still drying out themselves.

By mid-afternoon, the Dueck Cadillac Stage came alive with Chase the Bear, a band whose name, as per their introduction, was chosen by their mother. Their energy was infectious, with a rock edge that gave the day’s country tilt a welcome kick. They’re clearly a group that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, but they play like they’ve got something to prove.

One of the biggest ovations of the afternoon went to Jesse Roper, a festival favourite from Victoria who’s been with Barnside since the very beginning. It’s rare to see a performer so genuinely loved by both organizers and fans, but Roper fits that bill perfectly. His soulful guitar work and gravelly vocals hit the sweet spot between blues and country, and the crowd responded with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you think he’ll be booked here as long as he wants to return.

As the sun began to sink, the main stage welcomed Shakey Graves, whose dusty Americana sound felt tailor-made for a Sunday evening. His one-man-band roots still shine through, even with a full band behind him now, and his mix of storytelling and sharp picking pulled the crowd closer to the stage. He was a clear bridge between the local acts and the headliner.

Closing out the weekend was The Dead South, a band that has built their reputation on blending prairie grit with old-time string-band swagger. Dressed in their trademark white shirts and black suspenders, they had the crowd hollering along from the first note. By the time they reached their viral hit “In Hell I’ll Be in Good Company”, they had given a finale that stitched the festival together: rootsy, fun, and proudly Canadian.

What makes Barnside work is how much it balances the feel of a serious music festival with the ease of a community gathering. Three days in, it was clear that organizers have thought through every detail, from shuttles and bike valets to food trucks and family-friendly zones. Day three proved that a festival can lean into country without losing its wider identity. It was still eclectic, still welcoming, and still one of the most laid-back weekends on the B.C. music calendar.

The rain may have tested spirits early, but by nightfall, boots were muddy, dogs were tired, and fans were smiling. Barnside has already carved out a unique identity in just three years, and Sunday’s finale proved it’s only growing stronger.

Check out our favourite photos of the day or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

THE DEAD SOUTH

SHAKEY GRAVES

JESSE ROPER

TONY STEVENS

MADISYN GIFFORD

SHRED KELLY

THE VAUDEVILLIAN

CHASE THE BEAR

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer