'This is why we built the stadium,' Regina mayor says as Garth Brooks concert announced

Garth Brooks will play Mosaic Stadium in Regina later this summer — rain or shine. It's the only Canadian show on Brooks' stadium tour so far.

Tickets for the Aug. 10 show go on sale June 7 and will be $94.95, including fees and taxes. There will be an eight ticket limit and there will be no advance box office sales.

"This is why we built the stadium, was to have events like this coming, world class events like Garth Brooks, coming here," Mayor Michael Fougere said on Wednesday.

"So we are very pleased and honoured to have him coming here for the concert. It's gonna be fantastic."

It'll be the first country show to be played at Mosaic Stadium, which has played host to bands like Guns N' Roses and The Eagles in the past. 

"We have lots of examples of why the stadium is built, that diversifies beyond football and showcases our city and the stadium itself," Fougere said.

"It puts us on the map as being a destination for entertainment, for sport and all sorts of activities."

Not the only music event in town

Garth Brooks won't be the only musician on stage that weekend.

Regina's annual Folk Fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11 at Victoria Park. It's the festival's 50th anniversary. 

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This year's event features an impressive lineup of almost 40 artists.

Sandra Butel, artistic director and CEO of the Folk Festival, said she isn't concerned about the country music mega star stealing the festival's thunder.

"We really have confidence that there will be enough people at our show, and there will be enough people at the Garth Brooks show, and it'll just be a fantastic weekend of music in Regina," she said.

Butel said a lot more money and energy has gone into this year's lineup of performers and ticket sales are "way up" compared to previous years.

"A 50th anniversary is always an exciting time for people to come celebrate that longevity in the community."

She said the Garth Brooks announcement didn't come as a surprise because she had been in talks with Evraz Place and rumours had been swirling around for awhile.

Now that everything is booked, Butel said she's look forward to working with Evraz Place to put Regina's music scene front and centre.

"We've had some time to process and really see this as a great opportunity for to put Regina on the map as a music city, and you don't get to be 50 years old without having a lot of support in the community," she said.

More events to come for Mosaic Place

The NHL's Heritage Classic will also be played in the stadium later this year when the Calgary Flames take on the Winnipeg Jets. 

And in 2020, it'll be where two teams battle it out for the Grey Cup.

"I think what's so special about is he's only stopping at some of the best stadiums in North America," said Tim Reid, president and CEO of Evraz Place.

Brooks had played a series of shows in Saskatoon in 2016. He played six shows in four days. 

The famed singer has won entertainer of the year at the CMA Music Awards six times, and he's been inducted into several music and songwriter halls of fame.

While anticipation is running high for the concert, it takes place on the Saturday night of the Regina Folk Festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Former Sask. premier Brad Wall took to Twitter to make a plug for the Folk Festival lineup, which also includes his son, musician Colter Wall.