Wawota has seen a great many artists who have performed during the summer at Music in the Park. Free concerts sponsored by News in a Minute, fresh air, and great company made the seven performances throughout the summer and fall quite enjoyable. The seventh and final fall wind-up was held on Sunday, Sept. 23 with Â鶹ÊÓƵern Country performing a selection of various foot stomping tunes.
Â鶹ÊÓƵern Country is made up of Lorne Frape on the drums, Juanita Unrau on the bass and vocals, Bill Ireland on the guitar, Len Downer on the fiddle, Leona Joseph on the mandolin and vocals, Gary Dickson on the accordion, and Francis McDougall on the guitar and vocals.
These particular artists who currently make up Â鶹ÊÓƵern Country have been together for quite awhile, though McDougall has had the group for much longer. All of the artists have been playing instruments since they were teens and are extremely talented musicians.
The group enjoys playing across the prairies including Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota.
"We enjoy playing everywhere, especially at outside events. The music always sounds better because the sound doesn't bounce off the walls," McDougall explained.
It was a beautiful fall day in Centennial Park. There was a cool nip in the air, but the sun was warm. Approximately 40 people came and went throughout the afternoon, many dressed in green supporting the Roughriders.
The group began playing at 2 p.m. for an hour before a break was taken for tea, coffee, and dainties to be served. Following the coffee break the group then played until just after 4 p.m.
Music ranging from Pam Tillis to Brooks and Dunn made it a perfect afternoon for all to enjoy. The music was even enough to get a few couples up onto their feet dancing. Everyone else had their toes tapping along to the beat as they sat and took in a beautiful afternoon.
Â鶹ÊÓƵern Country will be performing in Moosomin both on Oct. 1 and at the end of October for the Halloween Dance. They will also be back to Wawota on Oct. 10.
Overall Music in the Park was another huge success this year.
"Lord willing and if the creek don't rise we'll do it again next year. We'll start earlier and have more. There's been such great support from the community that we're happy to put this on," Dickson, owner of News in a Minute and musician in Â鶹ÊÓƵern Country, exclaimed as the group went into their final song, The Orange Blossom.
