Canada's National Ukrainian Festival cancelled due to western Manitoba floods

The annual Canada's National Ukrainian Festival, a celebration of Ukrainian culture held in Dauphin, has been cancelled this year due to intense flooding in western Manitoba. Organizers announced the decision Thursday, citing local states of emergency declared across the Parkland region.

The festival was scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 2. Those who purchased or donated tickets can opt to use them for the 2027 event or request a refund. The Selo Festival Site itself was not flooded, but the Dauphin Regional Health Centre experienced basement flooding, leading to its closure.

Emergency health-care services have been relocated to rural communities more than 30 minutes away. This disruption poses significant challenges for providing timely medical care for a large event like the festival. The health centre's attached emergency department remains closed, and nearby emergency clinics are located outside the city. All 54 patients from the health centre were safely evacuated last week after a power outage caused by the flooding.

The festival, which began in 1965, celebrated its 60th anniversary in Dauphin last year. The cancellation underscores the severe impact of the recent flooding on communities in western Manitoba, disrupting cultural events and essential services.

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Emergency health-care services have been relocated to rural communities more than 30 minutes away, creating significant challenges in providing timely medical care for our large event.