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Free concert to open Daines Pick-nic

A free concert saluting victims and heroes of the recent flooding in Southern Alberta will open the Ivan Daines Country Music Pick-nic on Wednesday night.

A free concert saluting victims and heroes of the recent flooding in Southern Alberta will open the Ivan Daines Country Music Pick-nic on Wednesday night.

The 37th annual event at the Daines Ranch and Rodeo Grounds, six km north of Innisfail, will begin by honouring those who suffered from rising river waters, as well as those who helped bail them out, said Pick-nic organizer Ivan Daines.

The free concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday is “for everyone involved with the flood in Calgary and High River,” and anywhere else that was deluged.

Daines will perform his original song, Alberta Flood 2013, which promotes donating to the Red Cross for flood relief, and has gained a following on YouTube as well as on Daines’ Facebook page.

As well, Nashville singer Wyatt Easterling will be featured — along with Alberta country singers, such as Darlene Olson of Edmonton, who has a new CD out.

The Thursday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 11, Pick-nic events, which will include a natural horse training contest, barrel racing and bull riding, will require gate admission.

Daines said about 100 cowboys, cowgirls, singers, musicians, and radio station celebrity Hugh McLennon will be entertaining throughout the weekend.

Other stage performers are Bobby Wills, with three Canadian Country Music Award nominations, and Red Deer singer Randi Boulton, who was a finalist in a nation-wide CBC talent search.

Singers including Ivan’s son, Denver Daines, Alee and Lauren, Tera Lee, Eli Barsi, Dani-Lynn, Cassidy Peisse, Cadillac Deville, Richard Harrow and Dean Ray. And some of featured bands are Genuine Cowgirls, Domino, Ty Hart and Wylde Ride.

Daines said a lot of talented people from across Alberta, B.C., and from as far as Nashville are set to keep things lively.

Besides the action on stage and at the rodeo grounds, there will be a barn dance, nightly bonfires, volleyball games and kids’ foot races, a karaoke night, and a beer garden. On Sunday morning there will be a cowboy church and pancake breakfast.

For the first time, area residents can also bring their horse and get instruction from a clinician for $25.

On-site camping is available.

For gate admission prices and directions to the ranch, please visit Ivan Daines on Facebook, call the Black Knight Ticket Centre, or Innisfail Auction at 403-227-3166.

lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com