Hosted by W. Brett Wilson, this on-the-water concert features the music of celebrated Canadian country artist Brett Kissel. Over the past five years, $500,000 has been raised to support charitable initiatives in the Columbia Valley.
The concert will be held for the 6th time on August 1, 2025 at 6:55 pm. Click here for details on how to view/listen to the concert.
All concert expenses are generously covered our event hosts —now it’s up to our community to come together and raise the funds for youth mental health!
How It Started
In 2020, Canadian country music star Brett Kissel and Calgary philanthropist W. Brett Wilson put their heads together and decided to hold a free outdoor concert on Lake Windermere with a twist — it could only be viewed by boat, and everyone in attendance was asked to make a donation to the Columbia Valley Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
It goes without saying that the concert was an incredible success and resulted in significant community aid. Proceeds that year totalled $85,535, all of which went towards supporting community needs resulting from the pandemic, including food security, helping vulnerable populations such as seniors and families, mental health programs, and safety/sanitization measures.
“We really wanted to do something that was in support some of those most challenged by COVID,” says Wilson. “The Columbia Valley Community Foundation is a centrepoint. Rather than choosing one cause, we could give it to the foundation, which then finds the best and highest impact uses for it. It was really that simple.”
How It's Going
As community needs shifted in the years after the global pandemic, donations from recent concerts have gone towards a more specific cause. Since 2022, this unmissable event has raised money to support youth mental health in the Columbia Valley. Youth mental health is a challenging issue in many regions, and financial support from this concert allows for new programs and outreach methods to reach kids and teens in our community.
How It Helps
Over the past five years the #BrettBrettBaltacBoatConcert has raised $500,000 and supported 22 different community organizations. As the concert’s fundraising has focused on the mental well-being of Columbia Valley youth since 2022, Summit Youth Centre Hub is the largest recipient of funds over the life of the concert. Donations from concert-goers have contributed to free professional counselling for youth, the creation of the Open Gym program and the funding of a Youth Outreach Worker. Pauline Chevanne, Summit Youth Center Hub Manager says “Our Youth Mental Health initiatives have come so far, and it’s truly thanks to the tremendous support from our community. Frankly, without the Brett Brett concert, we simply wouldn’t have been able to develop these vital support programs to the extent they are today. We are incredibly grateful.”
Check Out Videos From Past Concerts
How To Attend
Typically, the concert is announced a few days prior to the event date. Cancellation due to weather conditions is possible, so please stay up to date through media channels.
When:
Friday, August 1, 2025 – 6:55 pm
Where:
Lake Windermere, British Columbia (near Baltac Boat Launch)
Cost:
Everyone is asked to make a donation that is meaningful (to them).
How To Watch Live:
This concert can only be viewed from the water. That means you must have a boat (or a friend with a boat) in order to see the performance. Out of courtesy, the hosts ask that larger craft allow smaller craft (paddleboards, kayaks, etc) space closer to the shore.
How to Listen Live:
The concert is broadcast at 88.5 FM.