Gord Bamford ready for drive-in concerts

Dale Woodard
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
sports@lethbridgeherald.com
Canadian country musician Gord Bamford is coming to Lethbridge on Saturday and fans can catch the show from the comfort of their vehicles.
With his Enmax Centre concert in October postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19, the 26-time CCMA winner and Lacombe native will take the stage for two shows, drive-in style, in the Exhibition Park parking lot as part of ATB presents Drive In For Mental Health with Gord Bamford.
Show times are 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and are one hour each.
“Gord saw what was happening in the States in terms of drive-in shows and he and his promoter got together three weeks ago and said they want to make this happen in Alberta,” said Michelle Gallucci, director, advancement and communications of Lethbridge Family Services.
Lethbridge is the second stop on a tour across Alberta. The first stop was a sold-out show in Red Deer on Canada Day.
The tour resumes July 18 in Calgary.
To date, the Gord Bamford Foundation has raised approximately $4 million for charity.
Tickets are $65 for a vehicle of four people with all proceeds going to Lethbridge Family Services and Wood’s Homes to support mental health initiatives and LFS online counselling. There is also VIP parking available for the front section for $110.
“To be back on stage is a big relief for everyone … all the proceeds go to charity,” said Bamford in a statement, crediting Dr. Deena Hinshaw for helping them get to this point. “It’s our first performance in four months. The uncertainty of not knowing when we’d be able to do it has been tough. I’ve got 25 people that work for me, so to get these people back to work is a big morale boost.”
In keeping with the feel of a live show, the music will be played through PA systems placed around the parking lot to give a surround sound feel.
A maximum of 200 cars will be allowed per show.
The gates open one hour before the show. Attendees must remain seated in their vehicles for the entire duration of the event, but may roll down windows or open the sunroof for fresh air.
Sitting in the back of trucks is prohibited, as are open SUV hatches and convertible tops.
People sharing a vehicle should be from the same household or cohort.
No food or beverage sales will be available on site, but concert goers can bring their own snacks to consume within their vehicle, but must take all garbage with them when they leave the event.
For attendees’ health and safety there will be no washrooms on site, but the one-hour show is designed for comfort.
Assigned parking spots will be clearly marked and distanced two metres apart. Once parked, drivers must turn off their ignition and avoid idling.
For the comfort of all concert goers, larger trucks/vehicles will be directed to the specific locations to create a fair and equally enjoyable concert experience for the smaller vehicles. Motorhomes and passenger vans are not permitted.
Smoking anything including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, vaping, illegal substances and consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Ticket information is available at http://www.GordBamford.com.
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