INNISFAIL – Classic, old-time, rising and local country artists will take to the stage this week for the Annual Ivan Daines Friends and Heroes Country Music 43rd Pick-Nic.
The multi-day event takes place at the Daines Rodeo Ranch, six kilometres north of Innisfail, from Aug. 7 to 11.
“It’s a big year because it’s the 20th (anniversary) of the Alberta Men and Women of Country Music. We’re saluting all the Alberta men and women of country music that have joined in through the years,” said country music and rodeo legend Ivan Daines, the event's organizer.
“There’s over 70 entertainers and singers performing. It makes for a great collection of music.”
Daines noted the important contributions of the late Diane Branson and Shirley Hartman, the latter who passed in August 2018. It was Hartman’s wish that Daines be awarded the 2019 Alberta Man of Country Music Award.
“It was emotional (being named). It’s a great honour,” said Daines.
The event lineup includes some new and some notable names.
“There’s some truly great artists,” he said, noting guest performers include Donna and Leroy Anderson, Tim Hus, Steve Newsom, Harlan R. Smith, and several local artists including Tanya Nydokus, Mary Anne Message, Dean Ray, Cassie Sinnamon and Denver Daines.
The event kicks off with the Central Alberta Karaoke Championship on Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m., followed by several days of music, dancing and family fun from Aug. 8 to 11.
“There’s a dance every night,” said Daines. “There’ll be horses to rent out (for people) to ride in the arena. I think that’ll be a lot of fun for people,” he added.
“We got barrel racing Thursday and Friday night and then we got horse training with my son Denver Daines and Tom Deroches, two great horse trainers. There’s different people on horseback doing different things,” said Daines. “There’s going to be something for everybody.”
A one-day pass for the event is $10, a five-day pass at the gate is $99 and the cost for children is free.
