South Country Fair running this weekend
Hands up! How many of us attended the very first South Country Fair?
And how many have had the opportunity to enjoy it many more times over the years?
Yes, it’s been running 32 years now. And some of its founders, like
Maureen and Trent Moranz, still volunteer to make it happen.
Southern Alberta performers have always played a big part in the Fort Macleod festival’s success, and this year is no exception. Shaela
Miller, Kris Demeanor and John Wort Hannam are part of this year’s three-day performance schedule, which includes many genres . . . as always. This afternoon’s music starts at 1 p.m. and continues all day and evening, with the last set scheduled to begin at 12:45 a.m. On Sunday, events start at noon with the final act slotted for 4:45 p.m.
Day passes will be available at the Fish and Game Park gate. * * * Here in Lethbridge, everyone’s invited to a “Shelter Me!” family party today in Galt Gardens. Organized by McMan Youth, Family and Community Services, it’s a nocharge event offering fun for the children while adults have an opportunity to learn about the efforts Lethbridge groups are making to reduce homelessness — and to support families where paying the rent is a monthly challenge.
Live entertainment, an open air market, kids’ games and crafts — and a dunk tank — will be among the activities. Events will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * * * Today is Provincial Parks Day across Alberta with special programs planned for some of our larger facilities.
At the Castle Provincial Parks, a free “wilderness survival” presentation for families will start at 10:30 a.m. at Beaver Mines Lake, providing tips on building a shelter and a fire, and using a compass.
A “hot dog lunch” is being offered at Beauvais Lake, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, along with a learnto-fish presentation and wildlife information. A “family fun” program is planned for 7 p.m., followed by a “theatrical Saturday evening show” explaining how wildlife try to avoid danger.
At Castle Falls, an evening (7 to 9 p.m.) program will offer littleknown facts about some of the wildlife in the area. There will also be wildlife-themed games, prizes and of course hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Other no-charge Parks Day events will be held at Writing-onStone Provincial Park and in the Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park. Don’t forget your bug spray! * * * And for something completely different, you could head to Exhibition Park to check out the annual Southern Alberta Truck Expo, combined with a job fair. Families are invited to come by to see a big rig “show and shine,” and to vote for their favourite.
For those considering a career on the highways, industry officials will be on hand to answer questions. The event is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. * * * Next Saturday at Fort Whoop-Up, drama director and performer
Andrew Legg will again offer “Trader Tales” at 7:30 p.m., with admission free. The event, a joint presentation by New West Theatre, Fort Whoop-Up and the Galt Museum, will return on Aug. 2, 9 and 23. * * * Decidely traditional food — cutlery optional — will be part of the Windy Castle Medieval Faire, July 28-29 near Picture Butte.
“Folly, fights, flights and feasting” are all part of the action, organizers say.
They’re also offering medieval music and dancing, as well as jousts between would-be warriors bearing swords and other fearful weapons. Storyteller Callum Lykan and medieval magician Lothar
Malmberg will also entertain. The setting is the Coyote Flats Pioneer Village south of town, but Lethbridge residents are also welcome to hop onto the “magic bus” at the downtown library or the Crossings Branch.
Passes, the bus schedule and more details are available online at
www.windycastle.com and tickets will also be offered at the gate. * * * And just ahead, the second Wide Skies Music and Arts Festival is set for July 30 through Aug. 1.
As last year, it will include free outdoor events on 11 Street S., alongside Southminster United Church, as well as ticket-required concerts inside the church.
Food trucks, an artisan market and a beer garden will be part of the outdoor event on July 31.
We’ll outline the performance lineup in next week’s column; tickets are available meanwhile from geomaticattic.ca/show/wideskies-music-arts-festival-2
* * * And a tip of the hat to longtime Lethbridge music promoter Ron
Sakamoto. He’s been nominated as Canada’s “booking agency of the year” by the Canadian Country Music Association.
The winners will be featured Sept. 8 on a live CBC Television special from Hamilton.