WAVERLEY: Ten years, dozens of performers and countless summer evenings on the Village Green, the Waverley Summer Concert Series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
The 2026 anniversary season opened Aug. 23, although rain forced the kickoff from the Waverley Village Green to the Waverley Heritage Museum.
It was held in association with the Museum’s annual Annie’s Tea fundraiser, giving the community a chance to gather indoors and celebrate the beginning of another season of live music. Amelia Parker, Doug Sampson, Charlie A’Court, and Gabriel Minnikin were the artists performing.
The 2026 lineup continues Aug. 25 with Carleton Stone and Serena Wu, Aug. 27 with Logan Richard and Moira & Claire, and Aug. 31 with Elyse Aeryn and CJ Bissett. Each are 6 p.m. starts.
The series began 10 years ago with a budget of about $1,500, with organizer Kevin O’Halloran handling the planning and bookings.
“It really started small,” O’Halloran said.
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Trevor Snow handled sound production during the first couple of years and helped get the series established.
Fall River School of Performing Arts staff and FMP Matrix Recording Studio also assisted with early bookings, while NSCC music faculty helped connect the series with emerging musicians.
As the concerts grew, production help came from people including Greg Pretty and Maurice Aucoin.
Today, O’Halloran credits Rachel Smith (planning) and Maurice Aucoin (production) as key members of the organizing team.
“I couldn’t do it without them,” he said.
A major boost came during the third season when Canada 150 funding increased the series’ budget and allowed organizers to bring in more established performers while continuing to showcase local talent.
Booking Myles Goodwyn for a homecoming concert, along with the Sons of Maxwell, helped establish the Village Green as a destination for live music.
The following year’s Henman Family Concert was another major success.
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Over the years, the format has changed — from weekly concerts to weekend festivals and online songwriter sessions during COVID-19.
Organizers eventually found that a three- or four-show run near the end of summer worked best.
The result is a decade-long list of performers that includes local musicians, emerging artists and some of the region’s best-known names:
Ryan Willigar; Kylie McCullough; Madeline and Ryan Cox; The Persuaders; TJ King; Fall River School of Performing Arts; Longplay; Hann & Mullen; Greg Fownes; Cody Degaust; Take it Easy Band; Dan Doiron Trio; Taryn Dene; The Worry Birds; Emily Stuart with Jeff Jodrey; Junction 454 presents “The Beatles”; Second Band; Fallon Fraser; Joan Smith performing Mi’kmaq Honour Song; Blind Daddy T (Terry Main); Sons of Maxwell; Makayla Lynn; Leona Burkey with Doug and Anthony; Myles Goodwyn and Jim Henman present “Just Between You and Me”; The Folk and Country Line; Ian Sherwood; The Henman Family; Campbell and Johnston; The Justin Wood Band; Richard and Somebody’s Kids; Maurice Aucoin with A2Z; Tom Collins; Chad McCoy (Brad McGoey); Ian Janes; Rob Robichaud; Garrett Mason; Trad Sessions with Doug and Anthony; The Barrowdowns; Songwriter Sessions with Dave Carroll, Christine Campbell and Kim Dunn; Songwriter Sessions with Doug Sampson, Roger Stone, Anthony Rissesco and David Bradshaw; Songwriter Sessions with Maurice Aucoin, Lisa Richard and Warren Robert; Museum Pieces; Christina Martin; Dave Carroll; The Town Heroes; Messick and Muir; Morgan Toney and Keith Mullins; Dee Dee Austin; Willie Stratton with Sara Eve; Logan Edward MacKay; Womenfolk III with Leona Burkey, Laura Merrimen and Carmen Townsend; Montgomery Night; Jamie Junger and the Jungernauts; Morgan Toney Trio; Jim Henman; Callahan; Joe H Henry; Paul Henman; Mo Kenney; Emstuu; D’Ambrosia; Logan Richard; Moira and Claire; Carleton Stone; Serena Wu; Amelia Parker; Gabriel Minnikin; Charlie A’Court; CJ Bissett; and Elyse Aeryn.
For O’Halloran, the anniversary is as much about the people behind the scenes and the community as it is about the performers.
What began with a small budget and a few helpers has become an established summer music tradition, one that continues to bring live music to Waverley and give artists a welcoming place to perform.
And even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, as it didn’t on Aug. 23, the show goes on.
