Several thousand country music fans flocked to the Ponoka Stampede Grounds for the first annual Summer Send Off Music Festival on Labour Day weekend.
The Ponoka Stampede Association partnered with Big Air Entertainment to put on the show that kicked off with a Friday night party featuring Aaron Pritchett and Tera Lee.
Musical acts that took to the stage on Saturday included Charlie Major and Easton Corbin.
Grand Ole Opry singer Dierks Bentley brought the house down to cap off what organizers say was a great first event.
“We were successfully surprised,” said Blair Vold of the Ponoka Stampede Association. “It was a very satisfying first year and it looks like it’s going to be an annual (event).”
The crowd for Friday night’s Kick Off beer gardens totalled around 1,200 people while close to 4,000 attended Saturday evening’s concert. Vold estimated total attendance came in at 6,000.
Vold said the rodeo-based organization couldn’t have done it without Canadian award-winning singer Gord Bamford of Lacombe, who approached the stampede board with the idea.
He’s affiliated with Big Air Entertainment.
“The (fans) just love the facility,” he added. “If there would have been bad weather, there’s the covered stands to go to.”
Spectators came from beyond Central Alberta.
Holly Stevens, 25, of Airdrie drove up to hang out with friend Nicole Maas, 27, of Ponoka.
Both were excited to see their favourite acts — Deric Ruttan for Stevens, the curly-haired Dierks Bentley for Maas.
“This is like a mini Big Valley,” said Stevens, referring to the large jambouree held at Camrose each year.
“It should get bigger — that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Barb Haring of Edmonton stood watching Major as he wrapped up his show in the late afternoon sun.
She’s a big fan of Bentley as well.
When asked to give a review of the event, Haring said “it’s pretty good so far.”
The relaxed feel of the festival was noticeably evident when Bamford hung out by the sound stage.
Craig Tomaszski and his friends approached him for a photo opportunity and Bamford gladly accepted.
Tomaszski, a resident of Breton located near Drayton Valley, joked that he’ll save the photo for the children he has one day.
He couldn’t wait to see American country singer Easton Corbin, singer of hit single, A Little More Country Than That.
His friend, 18-year-old Bailey MacPherson of Drayton Valley, was looking forward to seeing Bentley for the first time.
She had no complaints about the festival and said she’d return again.
“It’s like a mini Big Valley,” MacPherson said.
Volunteers dressed in red T-shirts mingled through the crowd assembled near the stage.
John Crawford, past member of the Ponoka Stampede Association, volunteered because he said this is a great event for the community.
“It’s an extension to Ponoka and the Stampede,” said Crawford.
Vendors were also on hand to drum up business, including Kia Brown of Wainwright-based Cowgirl Finesse which sells jewelled belts, decorative purses and other Western style products.
“I’m so glad we came,” Brown said. “It’s been lots of fun and meeting new people.”
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com