As the summer sun sets over Prince Edward County, laughter echoes through the rolling hills and serene waterways, marking a significant milestone for Comedy Country. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024, this beloved festival has become the quintessential destination for comedy enthusiasts in The County and Bay of Quinte region. Over the past decade, Comedy Country has showcased a stellar lineup of comedic talent, from the irreverent humor of Tom Green to the sharp wit of Cathy Jones (22 Minutes) and the iconic sketches of Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall).
The magic of Comedy Country extends far beyond its impressive roster of stars. The festival is renowned for its innovative approach to live comedy, presenting emerging Canadian comedians in settings as unique as the region itself. Imagine an improv troupe performing amid the rustic charm of a local craft cidery or a stand-up comedian delivering punchlines from a dock to an audience afloat in canoes. This inventive spirit earned Comedy Country three Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards in 2021, celebrating their ability to adapt and thrive even during the pandemic.
Comedy Country’s origins trace back to 2015, a few years after Toronto transplants Paul and Julianne Snepsts made Prince Edward County their home. A decade earlier, the Snepstses co-founded The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, a cornerstone in Canadian comedy. Their vision for Comedy Country was simple yet ambitious: to bring the vibrant, urban comedy scene they loved to their picturesque rural setting. “Our goal was to feature the kind of talent you’d usually find in a big city, set against the stunning backdrop of our rural landscapes,” explains Executive Director Paul Snepsts.
While the festival initially focused on Prince Edward County, it has since expanded its reach, incorporating venues on the mainland like Tweed & Company Theatre and Stirling Festival Theatre, as well as adding stops in Belleville. This growth reflects Comedy Country’s commitment to spreading laughter across the broader region.
Comedy Country isn’t just about the big names; it’s also about nurturing local talent. Their hands-on comedy workshops are essential to the festival’s mission to inspire and cultivate new comedic voices. From stand-up workshops led by Dawn Whitwell and Franco Nguyen (Tall Boys) to musical comedy sessions with Alberta’s Success 5000 and UK duo Flo & Joan, these programs have fostered an emerging comedy scene in Quinte. Local acts such as The County’s Artisanal Comedy Troupe: Taste That!, The County Roundup, plus improv duos Short Attention Spa and Silver + Gold have emerged from these workshops. And Comedy Country stages have created opportunities for local comedians like The Improvmonauts and Kyle Woolven (Welcome to Belleville, Kyle for Mayor) to perform with headliner talent.
In 2023, Comedy Country introduced The County Comedy Project, an eight-week comedy boot camp designed to transform raw talent into polished performers. The program offers participants a comprehensive dive into various comedy forms—improv, stand-up, and sketch. Following its inaugural run, the initiative has already produced new stand-up comedians who are making waves at regional shows and in Kingston. “The County Comedy Project was incredibly valuable,” says comedian Sean Macfayden. “It facilitated creative collaboration and connections in a rural setting, which can be challenging. Every small town in Canada needs a County Comedy Project.”
The festival’s tenth season continues to thrive with the second edition of The County Comedy Project, supported by The Huff Family Fund. This round attracted participants from as far as Cobourg and culminated in a sold-out debut show at Hatch Gallery, showcasing six new comedic talents. Aspiring comedians are encouraged to keep an eye out for the next intake in March 2025.
Comedy Country’s anniversary season will conclude in October with two high-profile performances, by Steve Patterson (The Debaters) in his new show “Steve Patterson is… PatterDAD” at both the Stirling Festival Theatre and The Regent Theatre. For the series finale at The Regent, Patterson is joined by The County Roundup, a satirical news desk created by local comedy talent that promises “big-time laughs at small town news.”
As Comedy Country marks its tenth year, it stands as a testament to the power of laughter in creating community, proving that great comedy can flourish in the most unexpected places.
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