Serena Ryder, Kardinal Offishall to play at Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg

A free music festival will bring 55 different artists from across the country to Winnipeg this July.

The lineup for theJuly 29 to Aug. 12 festival was revealed on Friday, as part of the 50-day countdown to the2017 Canada Summer Games.

Festival producer Jason Smith said some of Canada's best artists will be coming to Winnipeg to performoutside at The Forks.

The lineup includes the Sheepdogs, Serena Ryder, the Trews, Skydiggers,Kardinal Offishall and Tanya Tagaq.

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"It's going to shape up a little different than a normal music festival," Smithsaid.

He saidGames organizers have licensed a large area of The Forks where festival-goers can drink.

He emphasized all concerts will be free of charge and are running alongside other activities at the Games.

He said there will also be a satellite stage at The Forks which will host modern dance and spoken word performers, and a demonstration group from Canada's north.

More than 4,000 athletes and 20,000 visitors are expected to be in Winnipeg for the Games this summer.

The Canada Summer Games run from July 28 to Aug. 13.