The JUNOS held in Saskatoon in 2007 flicked a switch for this city.

One of the organizers of this year’s Juno Fest, who is also the executive director of the Broadway Theatre, believes the successful week proved that Saskatoon could hold a national multi-day event, and it changed our image.

Kirby Wirchenko says before the JUNOS, Saskatoon was looking for something to help its identity.

As an example, for awhile, Saskatoon became the home of jet boat racing, and then that went away and another event would come through to take its place, and then came the JUNOS.

Wirchenko feels it was one of many events in the early 2000’s that put the spotlight on Saskatoon.

Since then, the number of live events in the city has grown.

Wirchenko says on any weekend, you can choose from 30 to 40 events to attend from presentations of art, multicultural events, food, music, and sport.

JUNO Fest on Friday and Saturday night is a chance to celebrate Canadian talent at 10 venues with over 50 bands.

Click here for the lineup.