Richard Froese
Spotlight
Toes were tapping and hands were clapping at the fourth annual Country Hoedown on July 22-24 in Triangle at the Pioneer Threshermen’s Association grounds.
“We had a crowd estimated at 1,000 people, similar to last year,” says Shirley Fjeld, one of the event co-ordinators with her husband Russell.
“It’s a great space and location for the event.”
The Hoedown Jamboree music festival has become one of the more popular country music festivals in the Albertan circuit, Russell Fjeld says.
“We had people from all over Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and some from Ontario and Germany,” Shirley says.
While many people travel the circuit of about 30 country music festivals in the province, 147 recreation vehicles were parked on the grounds, more than last year, with 130.
“We had 32 performing acts; that’s a lot of performers,” says Louise Myre, music co-ordinator.
“They say its well-organized, people are friendly, they like the setting, lots of space, the quality of music and a lot of people like to walk around the grounds and view the old equipment and antiques,” Myre says.
Musicians were as old as 85 years of age, and travelled from High Prairie, Enilda, Joussard, Falher, Peavine, Slave Lake, Wabasca, Valleyview, Athabasca, Cold Lake, Morinville, Barrhead, Grande Prairie, Rochester, Stony Plain, Alexander, and from the British Columbia communities of Pouce Coupe, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Greenwood.
Gospel music was also centre stage during a Sunday church service led by Rev. Don Harris.
Decades of musical talent was in the spotlight.
Organizers appreciate the many volunteer who served in a variety of roles, with the sound and technical support, the gate, security, masters of ceremonies, working in the kitchen in parking, and others ways.
“We appreciate all the volunteers, we couldn’t stage the event without them,” Shirley says.
About 40 volunteers served the weekend.
“It’s also great to have all the community support and sponsors,” Russell Fjeld says.
The raffle prize of a new instrumental keyboard donated by J. Quartly Trucking was won by James Waikle, the master of ceremonies for Sunday.
Next year’s Hoedown Jamboree set for July 28-30.
