Trail Mix Live

Trail Mix Live! at the Brantford Farmers' Market returns this summer with even more excitement. Each event will feature live performances from this year's Trail Mix featured artists. Attendees can also look forward to various entertainers and games throughout the series. For more details, view the dropdown dates below. 

Trail Mix Live! will be held at the Brantford Farmers' Market (79 Icomm Dr.) on the dates below from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the Market Centre Parkade (59 Icomm Drive).

 Saturday, May 31, 2025
  • The first 150 guests will receive a complimentary snack popcorn bag from Original Kettlecorn & Gourmet Popcorn.
  • Free 360 camera from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Checkerboard Floors are Derek Palango on vocals and guitar, Matt Outerson on bass and vocals, and Kevin Barrie on drums and vocals. The band originally came together through work, mutual friends, and a shared love of music in early 2009 and having been performing covers and original music ever since.

  • Eric Mills is a singer/guitar player from Brantford, Ontario. He plays an eclectic mix of favourites from yesterday and today. 

 Saturday, June 14, 2025
  • Free face painting by Your Face is My Canvas from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • Chris Strei is a Brantford, Ontario born singer/songwriter/producer with 20 years of experience in audio and performance. Chris took the leap of faith to make music a full-time career in January 2022. His style has been compared with artists like Chris Stapleton and Tom Petty. Chris draws on his own life experiences for inspiration in his music with compositions influenced by country, blues, and folk. Chris's lyrics tell relatable stories from a reflective point of view towards various experiences and adversities.
  • Monique Hunsley's journey as a singer-songwriter from Brantford, Ontario, demonstrates dedication and passion. Monique regularly performs at restaurants, pubs, and festivals, showcasing both cover songs and originals. Influenced by artists like Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, and Lainey Wilson, she incorporates a mix of country, country rock, folk, and classic country into her performances, often adding a distinct edge.
 Saturday, June 28, 2025
  • Chalk artist, All the Things by Bronagh, on-site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Calm Canopy is a Canadian indie rock/folk recording artist and producer. Creating indie rock and pop songs "in-house" from his home studio, Calm Canopy dives into themes of mental health, human consciousness, love, and autonomy. Mike currently lives and works from his home studio in Brant. 
  • Piano Escape has been playing the piano since the age of three. He has performed many times at Sanderson Centre and in many Brantford Music Club (BMC) shows. In 2022, Eric was the Young Artist soloist on stage. In the same year, Eric also played Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Brantford Community Symphony Orchestra.
 Saturday, July 12, 2025
  • Free Jungle Jamz Travelling Reptile Show from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Jackson Link is a dynamic local musician known for his soulful vocals, with a fresh blend of folk, rock, and pop. His heartfelt lyrics and soothing soundscapes have earned him a dedicated following. When playing an intimate acoustic set Jackson captivates with raw talent and authenticity. 

  • Tyler Wilson is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Brantford who has been in the trenches performing and recording music professionally since the age of 16. His unique blend of Blues-Rock and Classic Chicken Pickin’ guitar styles mixed with soulful songwriting and emphasis on funky and rhythmic grooves make him a force to be reckoned with. 

 Saturday, July 26, 2025
  • Free caricaturist, Taylors Toons, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Chris Strei is a Brantford, Ontario born singer/songwriter/producer with 20 years of experience in audio and performance. Chris took the leap of faith to make music a full-time career in January 2022. His style has been compared with artists like Chris Stapleton and Tom Petty. Chris draws on his own life experiences for inspiration in his music with compositions influenced by country, blues, and folk. Chris's lyrics tell relatable stories from a reflective point of view towards various experiences and adversities. 
  • Piano Escape has been playing the piano since the age of three. He has performed many times at Sanderson Centre and in many Brantford Music Club (BMC) shows. In 2022, Eric was the Young Artist soloist on stage. In the same year, Eric also played Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Brantford Community Symphony Orchestra.
 Saturday, August 9, 2025
  • Free balloon twister, Pinky's Parties, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • A powerhouse you won't want to miss. Jocelyn June is a mix of Janis Joplin meets Amy Winehouse, sprinkled with Alanis Morissette. 
  • Tim McDougald is a Brantford singer-songwriter blending folk, indie, and country influences into heartfelt songs and captivating performances.
 Saturday, August 23, 2025
  • Chalk artist, All the Things by Bronagh, on-site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Backburner's current lineup of Jimmy, Steve, Dan and Greg enjoy sharing their passion for creating and performing original music and a variety of classic rock, folk, country and blues covers. With their vocal harmonies, improvisational live performances and sweet tones, Backburner continues to enjoy performing for the incredible operators and patrons of the breweries, wineries and pubs of Brantford, Norfolk and County of Brant. 
  • The Way It Is the musical adventures of a one-of-a-kind performer and his band of characters.
 Saturday, September 13, 2025
  • Pumpkin carver, Zac's Jacks, on-site from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
  • Gail Obediah is Mohawk, Turtle Clan, residing on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, with roots also connected to Alderville First Nation, her Ojibway family. Gail is a singer/songwriter, with a unique music mix, one might call RezJazz. Her songs blend acoustic jazz, blues, and folk genres mingled with traditional, contemporary drum songs. Gail also sings with a traditional women’s group, Kontirennonoron, as well as working on, and performing her own music. 

  • Keith Silver is Oneida, Bear Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He started performing music at the age of 13, in the church band. He began playing with his family band at the age of 17, at local establishments in the Brantford and Hamilton area. He has had the pleasure of playing with musicians such as Murray Porter, George Leach, Josh Miller, Crystal Shawanda, Dry County and many other talented musicians as a freelance bassist and back up vocalist. Keith has created his own unique sound and writing style, as well as adding the guitar to his instrumental resume. His musical mentors include his Uncle Sam, Grandmother, Parents and Brothers.

About Trail Mix

Trail Mix merges local music with Brantford’s beautiful trail system. Trail users can look for the signs posted on the kilometre markers along the 10km stretch of trail between Hardy Road and River Road. Each sign includes a unique QR code that can be scanned using a smartphone to gain access to free curated playlists featuring songs by local artists. There are a total of ten playlists along the trail, each with three songs and approximately 10-12 minutes long, which allows the trail user to continue discovering local music during the duration of their hike. The new 2025 Trail Mix playlist will be released on World Trails Day on Saturday, June 7. To learn more, visit www.DiscoverBrantford.ca/TrailMix

About the Brantford Farmers' Market

Serving Brantford and area since 1848, the Brantford Farmers' Market features products that reflect the diversity of the community. Current offerings include fresh produce, meats, dairy products, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts, as well as a breakfast and lunch counter serving hot foods. There are 46 indoor stalls open for business all year, with an additional 15 to 20 outdoor stalls that are open during the peak harvest season (May to October). To learn more about the Brantford Farmers’ Market, visit www.Brantford.ca/FarmersMarket