Blake Shelton takes Atlantic Fest by storm

Blake Shelton has his first excursion around the park

From the opening notes of his twanging guitar, Blake Shelton had his fans at Atlantic Fest 2017 on their feet and dancing. Thousands of music fans were in attendance at the Centennial Concert Park, braving the elements to take in performances by Shelton, Corey Hart, Serena Ryder, Shanneyganock, Mallory Johnson and Gates.

From the opening notes of his twanging guitar, Blake Shelton had his fans at Atlantic Fest 2017 on their feet and dancing.

Thousands of music fans were in attendance at the Centennial Concert Park, braving the elements to take in performances by Shelton, Corey Hart, Serena Ryder, Shanneyganock, Mallory Johnson and Gates.

Shelton, five-time CMA male vocalist of the year and a coach on NBCS “The Voice”, embraced his first sojourn in the province, even making an attempt to master the local dialect between songs, much to the chagrin of the crowd.

He also commented on the weather, thanking fans for their resiliency considering the conditions.

“I’m freezing to death already but that’s alright. That’s not going to be a problem. I have something for that,” said Shelton, raising a beer to the delight of the crowd.

Judy Heath, who said she enjoys watching Shelton on TV, arrived to the event early and took the weather in stride.

“We’ve got to take the good with the bad,” she said, citing that she was most excited for Shelton’s performance.

Kay Coles, another Shelton fan, said she was pleased to have an event like Atlantic Fest in central Newfoundland.

“It’s been awesome,” she said. “I was most excited for Blake Shelton, of course. Corey Hart was good, too, though.”

Fittingly, Hart took the stage near dark and performed his iconic “Sunglasses at Night.”

David Carver Music organized the festival.

JOSH HEALEY / THE BEACON From the moment he stepped on stage, Blake Shelton had the crowd in Grand Falls-windsor cheering and cajoling as he tried to master the local dialect between songs.

JOSH HEALEY / THE BEACON From left to right; Trevor Hodder, Lisa Peckford, Crystal Barnes and Collin Mahoney take in Shanneyganock’s performance.

JOSH HEALEY / THE BEACON Although it was raining and overcast throughout the day, the weather did little to temper the crowd’s enthusiasm.

JOSH HEALEY / THE BEACON Judy (front left) and Donna Heath (front right) came prepared for a little rain with lawn chairs and parkas. Back row: Cody White, Chelsea Hussey (centre) and Brooke Preston (left).

JOSH HEALEY / THE BEACON Corey Hart gives a final salute to the crowd following his set at Atlantic Fest 2017.