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Brett Brett Baltac Boat Concert August 1
A truly unique Columbia Valley annual event returns August 1 – the Brett Brett Baltac Boat Concert.
Hosted by W. Brett Wilson, this on-the-water concert that raises funds for a local cause features the music of celebrated Canadian country artist Brett Kissel.
Over the past six years, $596,000 has been raised to support charitable initiatives in the Columbia Valley.
In 2020, Canadian country music star Brett Kissel and Calgary/Windermere entrepreneur and 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,” said Wilson. “The Columbia Valley Community Foundation is a centre-point. 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.”
Over the past five years the #BrettBrettBaltacBoatConcert has supported 23 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.
Wilson’s support for the Youth Centre dates back about two decades.
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 said, “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.”
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