“If we earn the community’s trust, the growth will follow.” - Ian Bentley
By Will McGuirk
There’s glamping and then there’s DEVFest. DEVFest is a music festival, in its second year, which takes place on the grounds of the DEV Hotel & Conference Centre in Cornwall, ON; Five hundred rooms, a restaurant, pub, gym, pool on 70 plus acres along the St. Lawrence River. The festival takes place Friday June 26 and Saturday 27, 2026 and features co-headliners, the Strumbellas and the Trews, plus acts from the immediate area.
Now that's the next level of glamping, and yes that means you can take in the bands and instead of schlepping across a field to your tent, one can merely stroll over to a hotel room. Oh baby, I know at least one person who would be all over that.
Slowcity had an email chat with DEV general manager and festival organiser Ian Bentley.
Slowcity: What was the original idea for the festival and when did you start thinking about what it could and would be?
Ian Bentley: “I came back to this facility in February 2025, and I’ve always believed in creating new, bold event ideas wherever I work. When I looked at our 70+ acres of waterfront property, it felt obvious — this space was meant for something big. We host conferences, training programs and weddings all year long, but I wanted to do something amazing with the outdoor space. Something that brought energy, music and community together in a way Cornwall hadn’t seen before.
DEVFest started as a simple idea: instead of “another festival in a field,” why not create a music experience where people can stay on site, walk back to their room, sleep in a real bed, grab breakfast the next morning and actually enjoy the full weekend? We already have the infrastructure. We already have the space. We just needed to imagine it differently. DEVFest is really about using what we have in a unique way — and giving the region something special.”
Slowcity: The prices are extraordinarily reasonable — how and why so low?
Ian Bentley: “Because we genuinely want this to be affordable. We’re living in a time where going out to see incredible music and experience amazing events has become almost out of reach for a lot of people. Between ticket prices, travel, hotels and food, a weekend festival can cost a small fortune. That’s not what we wanted.
Yes, we want DEVFest to grow. But growth starts with trust. If people feel they’re being priced out in year one, they won’t come back. We’d rather build something sustainable — something families, couples and friend groups can realistically afford. We’re fortunate that we already own the venue and infrastructure, which allows us to keep prices reasonable while still delivering a high-quality experience. For us, it’s about accessibility first. If we earn the community’s trust, the growth will follow.”
Slowcity: I applaud your commitment to the balance of major talent and also a line-up of local talent. Why is that important to you, to top load with local acts?
Ian Bentley: “Because this festival belongs to the region. Cornwall has a growing and incredibly talented music scene, and it was important to us that DEVFest reflect that. We’re not just bringing in big names — we’re showcasing the artists who built the sound of this community.
You have Trevor Walsh, widely considered Cornwall’s greatest musical talent, who will also take on the Saturday night emcee role. You have Harry Follon, who grew up here and has since taken his talents to the GTA. The County Lads are a young, high-energy group playing all over the region. And then there’s Paul Deslauriers — Cornwall’s most celebrated blues artist — now performing as Chambers Deslauriers with his incredibly talented wife, Anika.
That’s range. That’s history. That’s future. We want diversity. We want local flavour. We want different genres and generations represented. And then, of course, we pair that with top-level headliners like The Strumbellas and The Trews. For us, that balance matters. It gives local artists a real stage, in front of real crowds, with national production. And it gives the audience a festival that feels authentic — not imported. DEVFest isn’t just a concert. It’s a showcase of who we are.”
Slowcity: I am unfamiliar with Cornwall, never visited. Can you tell me some of the highlights and benefits to the city?
Ian Bentley: “Cornwall is one of Ontario’s best-kept secrets.We sit on the St. Lawrence River, steps from Quebec and New York State. It’s accessible but feels relaxed. Waterfront trails, beaches, boating, historic architecture, local breweries, growing culinary scene. It’s also a hardworking, proud community that shows up.
DEVFest gives visitors a reason to discover Cornwall — and once they’re here, they realize it’s not just a stop between cities. It’s a destination. And because the festival is attached to a full-service campus, people don’t just attend — they stay, eat, explore and return.”
