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.