South Country Fair a hot festival with cool vibes

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on July 25, 2023.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge-based alt-country group Badlands performs for the South Country Fair audience on Saturday in Fort Macleod.

Fort Macleod’s South Country Fair goers appeared to be enjoying themselves this weekend while trying to stay cool during the heat have that hit the region.

“They’re (the people) enjoying an amazing selection of music,” said April Hutchinson, the Fair’s volunteer coordinator.

There was everything from folk and roots to country and international music and rock and roll heard over the weekend at the annual event which is a staple on the southern Alberta summer event calendar.

People could also enjoy workshops, various acts, puppetry shows, Kid’s Country play zone, a small market of vendors and food trucks to name a few.

“It’s smoking hot, but people are happy,” said Hutchinson.

Hutchinson said the focus is really just like thinking about the community that comes, which is the big thing about this festival – it’s like home for a lot of people.

“If you were to probably stop and talk to any one of the volunteers especially, they would maybe not even say anything about the music, but just that they’re back home,” said Hutchinson.

“This is a community here. Often when I talk to people, they don’t even mention the music because it’s just this great feeling and the music is encompassed in that feeling.”

“It’s been many, many years of really, really special friendships, and music, and magic, and heat, and rain, and shine, and wind and it’s been beautiful,” said Alex Westwood, who has been coming since she was four years old and now is 31.

She was grateful for the mist tents and shade tents that were put up during the scorching temperature weekend.

“We’ve got a river just on the other side of the campground that we’ve been frequenting, staying hydrated, lots of freezies (and) staying safe,” she said.

AJ Nikish travelled in from Edmonton for his first fair.

“This is my very first time and I’m really enjoying it,” said Nikish.

“Some really great bands, great artists. It’s pretty eclectic taste, too.”

It was anticipated that 1,500 people came out this weekend.