INNISFAIL - The Town of Innisfail has lost its bid to host Big Valley Jamboree's 2017 Small Town Saturday Night.
The contest was open to municipalities in Alberta with populations under 20,000 people. The winner was given the chance to host a concert featuring Canadian country music star Gord Bamford with proceeds going towards a local project or program.
Innisfail made the top 10 after the first round of voting with hopes of raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prairies to Peaks for mentorship programs and the Innisfail Kinsmen Club to go towards the proposed Innisfail skatepark.
"Unfortunately we didn't win," said Russ Klemmer of the Innisfail Kinsmen Club. "The hamlet of La Glace ended up being the grand-prize winner with a wonderful showing of support for their community with just under 31,000 votes."
Klemmer said results showed Innisfail finished in sixth place with 7,241 votes.
La Glace will host a concert on April 29 featuring country music stars Gord Bamford, Clayton Bellamy, Alee, Dan Davidson and The Doll Sisters. All proceeds raised from the concert will benefit La Glace & District Agricultural Society and go towards a new regional recreation centre.
"I think what they did was they reached out and engaged outside of their little community and the area surrounding and got some really strong support, which is a great learning experience for us for next time," said Klemmer.
"I think our results really showed that the community got behind us again, like they always do," he added. "They showed our community pride and spirit. This helped bring us all closer together.
"While we didn't win, I'm proud of the support that we got," Klemmer concluded.
Russ Klemmer, of the Innisfail Kinsmen Club
"I think our results really showed that the community got behind us again, like they always do. While we didn't win, I'm proud of the support that we got."
