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South Country Fair returns for 36th show

South Country Fair returns with some major changes while staying true to its mission of expanding cultural horizons by introducing people to a diverse line-up of music.

The fair, which began in 1987 as a camping weekend for members of local folk music clubs, marks its 36th year July 19-21 at Fort Macleod Fish and Game Park.

“The South Country Fair ‘heart cores’ have been working diligently to ensure the fair continues to be a sustainable, non-profit, volunteer run, engaged community,” Gillian Moranz said Monday. “Just harken back to 1995 if you can remember that far back and the direction we’re moving won’t seem unfamiliar.”

“However, we have made a few changes that we want to make sure folks are aware of before arriving on site.”

Included in those changes is performances on the east and south stages only kicking into gear from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

Peter Cormier
Peter Cormier brings his Wolves to the South Country Stage this weekend.

“To address the ever-increasing daytime temperatures we have changed the live music format,” Moranz said. “Live music during the day will be performed acoustically in the campfire jam area of the campground.”

Another change is there is no longer an upper camping area. All campers will set up in the lower camping area, and an overflow area for larger units will be set up east of the vendors.

South Country Fair will only sell weekend passes this year at https://southcountryfair.tickit.ca/. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Organizers have lined up local, national and international performers for the weekend.

Performers are coming from Mexico, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., Manitoba and the Yukon.

The entertainment starts at 6 p.m. Friday with the opening ceremony on the south stage featuring Olivia Tailfeathers, followed by Doghouse Orchestra at 6:40 p.m.

At 7:50 p.m., Benj Rowland performs on the east stage.

Lethbridge folk rock band Starpainter takes to the south stage at 9 p.m., with Peter and the Wolves on the east stage at 10:10 p.m.

AntiDoping from Mexico City wraps the evening performances at 11:20 p.m. on the south stage.

AntiDoping from Mexico City
AntiDoping from Mexico City brings its unique reggae style to South Country Fair.

A Glow Flow Jam with Megan Fester and Amber McBride happens at 9 p.m. Friday in the main stage area.

The Lucky Ones, Sierra Noble and Ryland Moranz will lead an acoustic session at 1:05 p.m. Saturday, followed by a ukulele workshop led by Andrew Scott at 2:10 p.m.

Peter and the Wolves and Doghouse Orchestra will lead another acoustic session at 3:15 p.m., with The Lucky Ones also performing in the campground area at 4:20 p.m.

Sierra Noble performs on the east stage at 5:30 p.m., and Ellen Froese takes the south stage at 6:40 p.m.

The Mike Tod Band performs at 7:50 p.m. on the east stage, and The Deep Dark Woods play at 9 p.m. on the south stage.

L’ommelette is on the east stage at 10:10 p.m., followed by Shred Kelly on the south stage at 11:20 p.m.

The South Country Fair Reimagined grand finale is at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by a secret encore performance at 1:30 p.m.

The weekend also features sessions on meditation, yoga, magic, numerology, tarot, Blackfoot culture and more.

Stronghold Brewery will host performances Saturday by Mark Sadlier-Brown at 2 p.m., Richard Inman at 3 p.m. and Andrew Scott at 4 p.m.

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