Alberta artist Hailey Benedict headlining College Coulee Fest this weekend

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 16, 2022.

Submitted photo Hailey Benedict is set to hit the stage on Saturday at Lethbridge College's Coulee Fest.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge College’s Coulee Fest is nearing and two up-and-coming country entertainers are set to hit the stage, Ontario-based brothers Lemon Cash and Alberta-based artist Hailey Benedict.

“Coulee Fest brings our community together much like an old-fashioned county fair, and live country music from two incredible performers will provide the perfect soundtrack,” said Stephanie Savage, alumni engagement manager, in a release.

Hailey Benedict received her first big break when she was pulled onstage by Keith Urban in 2016 and performed one of her own songs. The video of the performance has been viewed over 10 million times.

She was named Interactive Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Association awards this past weekend in Calgary.

Benedict was recognized as the 2022 Country Music Alberta Horizon Female Artist of the Year and earned the 2022 Country Music Alberta Horizon Single of the Year.

Lemon Cash was named CMA Ontario’s artist of the month in November 2021 and is fresh off playing a pair of shows at the Calgary Stampede last month. The Ottawa-born brother duo started as a rock band but have found artistic success and radio traction since switching their focus to country music.

“Live music has become a favourite part of Coulee Fest for many, and we have worked closely with the Sakamoto Agency to bring in Lemon Cash and Hailey Benedict, who are exciting, dynamic performers who have thrilled large crowds across Canada. We can’t wait to see them live at Coulee Fest,” said Savage.

Coulee Fest begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday with afternoon entertainment from family-friendly singers The Band Formerly Known as Karen, Lewis and Pam, and local country rockers Plaid Ramblers. Benedict and Lemon Cash will hit the stage in the late afternoon.

This will be the fourth Coulee Fest hosted by Lethbridge College and the first since 2019.

The live stage is just part of a day full of activities that includes family entertainment, food trucks, the Hudsons Canada’s Pub beer gardens, Prairie Made Market and much more, including an old-fashioned pie-eating contest.

For the little ones there will be horse and buggy rides around campus, a glamorous princess party, two bouncy castles, kid-friendly games including old-fashioned pony hop races and crafts inside the Lethbridge College teepee with the college’s Indigenous Services team.

With a focus on sustainability, Coulee Fest will also be holding a photo contest that encourages attendees to display the way they have done their part for the environment by walking, biking, carpooling or taking public transit to the event.

Coulee Fest organizers are also working with the college’s Sustainability Committee to decrease the festival’s carbon footprint. By partnering with the City of Lethbridge, efforts will be made to increase recycling, decrease the use of single-use paper and plastic products, provide refillable water stations and compost bins, and install solar lights where possible.

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