4th ANNUAL ELKO COUNTRY FESTIVAL OF ENTERTAINERS
August 7-8, 2010
At the Elko Community Hall, Elko, BC

By Mag Mawhinney

So few did so much for so many!
A very small committee with great organizational skills made this weekend a time to remember. They worked hard to make this event enjoyable and affordable-great entertainment, lots of delicious food and comfortable seating in a wonderful town hall, in a setting surrounded by beautiful mountains.

The festival was associated with the Traditional Black Powder Shoot, which took place not far down the road. Competitors, dressed in period attire from the pioneer days, came by to chow down at Saturday's dinner and Sunday's pancake breakfast and perhaps exchange bragging rights about their skills at rifle, smoothbore, hawk and knife.

Comedic trick roper, Bud Edgar from Calgary AB, got the crowd in a festive mood right from the start by involving them in his fast-paced, humorous routines. Singers, Larry Krause from Paddockwood SK, Deborah Dee from Calgary AB, Tim Ross from Wycliffe BC and Kauno Kattelus from Yahk BC, kept the crowd entertained with old to new country/western songs. Richard L. Rose from Yahk did some readings, which included an excerpt from his new book "Flame and Feather", poet Brian Ironmonger read some humorous poems about the life he knows and poet Mag Mawhinney, who was vacationing in the area, pitched in to recite some of her western roots poetry. MC Les Bolen, from Jaffray BC kept things rolling and also sang some country favorites, accompanied by his great guitar picking.

After Sunday's pancake breakfast, Larry Krause opened Cowboy Church with a gospel song called "You Go To Your Church and I'll Go To Mine". He said he likes to kick off Cowboy Church and Gospel shows with that one because it sets the mood for openness. He followed that song with a few well-known gospel tunes that everyone could sing along to. Kauno and Les also sang a couple spiritual songs, accompanied by John de Jong on guitar. Storyteller Mountain Mumma (Heather de Jong) told a touching story about how one of her horses helped an Alzheimer patient regain her voice and Mag Mawhinney recited her spiritual poem "Somethin' About A Cowboy".

The weather was unsettled for most of the weekend, but periods of downpour didn't put a damper on the fun. The huge lawn was freshly cut for on-site camping, which can accommodate many RVs and other vehicles.

So, folks, mark your calendar for next year's event and come and enjoy some great down-home fun in a wonderful country setting. I just know you won't be disappointed. Contact Phyllis Johnson 250-529-7418 for the Elko Parks and Recreation Association, Box 952, Elko BC V0B 1J0 or southcountry@xplornet.com