Downsizing works for South Country Fair

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on July 23, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward The Lucky Ones, Sierra Noble and Ryland Moranz play an acoustic session on an open-air stage under the poplar trees during the South Country Fair on Saturday in Fort Macleod.

The South Country Fair in Fort Macleod played a variety of tunes for attendees under scorching conditions in a new looking format.

“As it got bigger, we found that our heart core group that we call us were working too hard and not having any time to hang together and have some fun,” said Maureen Chambers, a South Country Fair producer.

“We decided we wanted to downsize and we have probably downsized by a quarter but our production is still absolutely the fabulous thing. That’s the thing we always hold is that the music is great and the production is great and then the size doesn’t really matter after that.”

The downsizing had to do with numbers and not as many people attending.

During the afternoon, attendees could enjoy a new feature to the fair with music being played on a flat-bed trailer stage in the campground.

“Because it’s so hot,” said Chambers.

“I always felt so badly for artists that were performing to 15 people or our children’s area’s empty because everybody was where they should be, in the river. So we just knew that, that was a waste of space and time there, so we’re just putting it down in the trees, there’ll be shade.”

Chambers thought it would make it more personal in the campground.

“It won’t be amplified and it makes it a private little concert,” said Chambers.

The South Country Fair tends to build a community.

“Yesterday (on Friday), I probably had at least 20 people in two hours come to me and say South Country Fair always builds such a beautiful community, where every year I think this is my favourite fair and then the next year I come and they say I think this was my favourite fair,” said Chambers.

“It’s a reunion for like-minded people who love music.”

The fair likes to stick to eclectic music.

“The people will look at the line-up and say I don’t know any of these bands but when they leave, they’ve probably bought a lot of merch from bands they hadn’t even heard before,” said Chambers.

Peter Manning travelled in Medicine Hat to take in the event with his daughter.

“Obviously the friendship,” said Manning.

“It’s a great place to be, everybody says hi, it’s so open and warm and I get to see my daughter of course. She live in the Pass, I live in Medicine Hat, so that’s a good weekend to spend with each other.”

Manning gets a new Spotify list from the South Country Fair.

“It’s fabulous,” said Manning.

“Most of the time you hear artists that you wouldn’t normally hear because they’re not mainstream, they’re doing their own thing, I mean they’re big, they’re making livings out of it but Spotify doesn’t pick them out of the air. But when you come here, you can find them all on a playlist and load it up and you got it forever.”

Krista Tincher has been volunteering at the fair for four years.

“It’s the community,” said Tincher.

“It’s the fact that my kids can come and volunteer. So we can all be here and it’s mostly about the people. The community of volunteers is fantastic, the musicians are fantastic, so it’s just good to be here.”

People could also enjoy a Kids Kountry area and an awareness area with yoga, tarot cards and intro to magic to name a few, as well as a market.