Local musicians life blood of South Country Fair
Annual music festival begins Friday
After more than three decades as a summer attraction, it’s earned a spot on the “Welcome to Fort Macleod” sign on the highway.
South Country Fair traces its roots back to the 1970s and local events like the “Meadow Muffin Extravaganza.”
This weekend’s event will be the 32nd edition as “South Country.” But Trent Moranz, one of its founders, says southern Alberta musicians remain the lifeblood of the three-day music festival, opening Friday.
“There are so many entertainers to be found in Lethbridge and area,” he says.
But music fans want to hear new performers as well, and Moranz says one of this year’s headliners is Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, a pastor and performer who survived last summer’s white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“He plays like Al Sharpton,” Moranz says, and offers music similar to the Blues Brothers as well.
First-time South Country performers will also include the Lemon Bucket Orchestra, he adds, bringing a variety of music from eastern Europe. And the Fin de Fiesta Flamenco band, kicking off Sunday afternoon’s lineup, will include an authentic flamenco dancer.
Music fans will welcome back such well-known southern Alberta performers as John Wort Hannam, Kris Demeanor and Shaela Miller. And some, including Miller, will be part of a dialogue on such questions as the pros and cons of musical collaboration.
First Nations music will be featured as well. One of South Country’s aims, Moranz says, is to build “cultural bridges.”
Other daytime features will include “slammers,” with poets offered up to five minutes each, and new music created for South Country’s songwriting competition.
Continued from previous years, South Country has also organized a “kidz rock camp” and a series of buskers performing in downtown Fort Macleod. There will also be a series of “showcase” events, Moranz adds.
And as always, music fans from eastern British Columbia to Saskatchewan will bring their camping gear and catch up with friends they’ve made during previous South Country festivals.
“That’s the beauty of the (South Country) community,” built year by year.
About 2,500 people camp over the weekend, Moranz says, with day pass purchasers bringing the “turnstile” numbers up to about 6,000.
Advance, lower-priced tickets are available until Friday at Josee’s Imports in Lethbridge, or online at
southcountryfair.com.
Day passes will also be available at the site, on the Fish and Game property immediately west of town on Highway 3.
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