What is going on at the Elko Community Hall
2011
NEWS FROM ELKO BC
Elko BC’s 5th Annual Festival of Entertainers is a growing success story. Once again Elko was pleased to bring Larry Krause back to entertain along side Abe Zacharias, the Keister Family Fiddlers, Les Bolen, Mag Mawhinney, Brian Ironmonger, Tim Ross, and introduce Brodie Bolen to our stage.
Larry Krause did a great job as MC of all shows, introduction and background for each entertainer as they came on stage on Saturday, and an informal Cowboy Church on Sunday. All entertainers as well as the organizers of the events were happy with the great mix of songs, poetry and story telling throughout the weekend. Les Bolen did a great job working the ‘sound system’ for entertainers throughout the weekend, and also played & sang a good variety of his songs.
Mag Mawhinney tells her poetry with humorous style and some of her lyrics, recorded by both Larry and Abe were sang for her for the first time, on Elko’s Stage; Brian Ironmonger provided a great mix of poetry and sometimes if you listen carefully it connects to folk or events locals know of. ‘Tex’ Florence made a surprise visit to Elko this year and got up on the stage to perform some of his great Cowboy poetry.
Abe Zacharias sang a great variety of songs, country & gospel and held the audience spellbound at times, sang a few requested songs as time allowed, as did Larry Krause. Tim Ross sang many songs he had written and kept the crowds attention with the enthusiasm and humor he puts into some of them. The Keister Family Fiddlers really livened up the show with the four girls playing the violins, accompanied by their mother on guitar.
The open microphone session saw a few singers and artists perform.
The Committee has received numerous compliments on the great caliber of entertainment brought to this Elko event and comments such as folk will be returning next year with more friends in tow. As said by Mag: “The delicious smorgasbord on Saturday night was well worth the price of admission. It included chili, beef on a bun, lasagna, several kinds of salads, condiments and dessert.” On Sunday, a big pancake breakfast, including sausage rounds and two eggs, was offered before Cowboy Church. Members of a black powder event, taking place down the highway, came for the pancakes as well as the supper the night before.
There is camping on site for a minimal fee and folk are always welcome to stay for the evening “jam sessions” and social evening that most entertainers take part in on Saturday after the shows, and each year the “campfire circle” gets a bit wider and takes place inside the hall.
Some comments from the entertainers themselves:
“Once again I would like to thank you for your hospitality and inviting me to be at a great event. It was most certainly my privilege to be out there and a part of it. It was really great seein you folks again, and I hope to get out there again someday....between the people and the country, it's a spot I like.” -Larry Krause
“It is our opinion that your show provided some of the best entertainers we have had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. Thanks again for that!” -Loren Keister
“... thank you for every thing Elko is my favorite gathering you people are so good to every body I hope to come again I had a good trip home.” -Tex Florence
“Thanks again for the awesome weekend, I had fun.” -Les Bolen
Some comments from those that attended the event:
Audrey: “you can bet we will be back next year”
Betty: “what a great variety of entertainment you bring to the stage, the whole weekend is great. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Hope: “the whole event was just so unbelievable -- there definitely should be some news coverage.”
Pat: “I attended the afternoon show, just loved Tim’s song about the pickup truck, Mag sure has great humor, and the whole show was all so good, couldn’t ask for better.”
Chuck: “You have done it again, just a great weekend of great entertainment & food.”
Pat B: “this event is unbelievable, and one of the best we have attended – and we travel a lot so keep going with this and next year we will return for sure, am booking holidays now and will be bringing more friends with us. Camping is great!”
Brian: “Your price is certainly not too high for the event! You could charge a lot more.”
Judy: “A great weekend - see you next year. Keep doing what you are doing! It works.”
THE COMMITTEE hopes the public's enthusiasm stays throughout the next year and everyone will save AUGUST 11th – 12th 2012 for the 6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF ENTERTAINERS AT ELKO BC, and wish to Thank the following;
Alberta Cowboy Poets Association for posting the event on ACPA website; *Angela for set up and printing posters. *All businesses from Creston to The Pass, Golden to Grasmere, who put our posters in windows, on bulletin boards; to all Newspapers who allow our event in the “Community Calendar” or “Happenings” or “Around the Valley” sections. *Jaffray Sports, Jaffray General, 3&93 Dairy Bar, for displaying our large signs at your businesses. *All those who attended and supported the shows, dinner, breakfast, Cowboy Church, Vendors.
***Thanks to the entertainers for working cost wise with us to get this event rolling and we hope you will all return just to have fun in the future. **CBT for the grant that enables making this event possible until we are self supporting. **Thanks Bridge Interiors for the use of the “Tent” for the weekend, Safeway for providing a price break.
**Jan Miller for your weekend dedication doing the tickets & more.
**Helping get the dinner out on time, serving, and clean up to: Shane, Vivian, Carolann; *Thanks Bailey and Lacey for collecting dinner tickets; Thanks to Michelle and Mark for giving a hand with the entire weekend Friday through Sunday, to Shirley & Ray helping with Breakfast.
