BIGGAR — The hills surrounding Biggar will soon be filled with some familiar beats of polkas, waltzes and foxtrots as the community prepares for the ‘1st Annual Biggar Old Time Music Festival’, a three-day old-time music festival, set for June 6 to 8.
Spearheaded by the Biggar Old Time Music Festival Committee, the family-friendly event will be held at the Biggar Community Hall, with performances from authentic Saskatchewan musicians such as Leon Ochs of Landis, Sylvia ‘n’ Dean of Prince Albert, Dennis Ficor of Regina, Humboldt’s Tom Reinhard and Norm & the Golden Aces from the northwest region of the province.
As the festival date nears, the committee has announced more than 75 per cent of tickets have been sold.
“We're honoured and touched that we’d been the recipients of support from the community and from across Saskatchewan,” said Miguel Fenrich, chair of the committee.
The event will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday, with a 50s-diner inspired canteen, silent auctions and 50/50 ticket sales. A fundraising pancake breakfast will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings as well. For Saturday only, a variety of displays will be showcased at the Biggar Museum and Gallery while the Vintage Market will be held across the street in the Jubilee Stadium. The market will also have some attractions for those younger music fans, with bouncy castle, balloon artist, face painting and a colouring contest.
Sunday will feature the headlining concert with the award-winning JJ Lavallee Band. Ticket holders will have access to dancing, dance lessons, free coffee, a midnight lunch, free shuttle and an on-site cash bar run by the Biggar Lodge No. 100. Ticket prices and full schedule can be found at www.oldtimemusicfestival.ca
“The musical talent present in Saskatchewan is unmatched. And some of that talent will be here, on display, the first weekend of June,” Fenrich added.
The committee said this event has been made possible from funders SaskLotteries, SKArts, and Dance Saskatchewan; sponsors the Town of Biggar, Duperow Co-op, Biggar Insurance Agencies; and supporters CJWW Radio, CFCR 90.5 FM Saskatoon Community Radio, Biggar Bites, the Biggar Independent, Lodge No. 100, the Biggar Museum and Gallery, and the Biggar Saturday Night Dance Club.
“This festival would not have been possible without the many organizations, businesses, governments, attendees, and local volunteers, who were keen to support this community led project,” Fenrich added.
“We hope everyone comes and joins us in celebrating culture, community, and the revival of old-time music.”
The Biggar Saturday Night Dance Club (BSNDC) and their sub-committee, the Biggar Old Time Music Festival Committee (BOTMFC) are unincorporated grassroots non-profit organizations, run by volunteers and supported by donations, sponsors, grants, and self-made revenue. Their mission is to ensure there is an environment in Saskatchewan which celebrates the cultural, historical, and artistic history of folk music and dance in Saskatchewan.
