Bonita Mercer is one of the featured acts for the Sturgeon Falls Country Fiddle Festival. Mercer, who grew up in nearby Noelville, will be performing close to home for the very first time. Photo courtesy bonitamercer.com
For the 19th year, Sturgeon Falls will host its Country Fiddle Festival.
The event kicks off this Sunday.
Organizer Charlie Lang is expecting 20,000 visitors over the next week.
Rain was a concern last year but Lang says they are ready if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
“This year we have a total of nine tents which will cover the stage and the dance floor,” he said.
“Everything is covered.”
Organizers also added more evening entertainment to try and allow locals to enjoy the festivities too. Lang says at previous events the entertainment was primarily offered during the day. That's changed this year.
“The local people work all day and never get a chance to see the entertainment, now they can come because there’s evening entertainment all week,” said Lang.
Some of the highlights will be lead performer Bonita Mercer, who has roots to the area and is currently #10 on the European Country Charts in Germany.
Also, Thursday night will be an open talent night from 6 to 9 pm, and you don’t need a fiddle as any talent will be allowed; from talking dogs to yodellers.
Lang says the key is that all the entertainment is free and organizers believe they are offering a great deal of only $160 for a camp site which includes water, hydro hook-up, and use of the pool, hot tub and sauna.
“Everyone is welcome, we have chairs and lots of camp sites ready, grab a chair sit and listen to some great music,” concluded Lang.
For more information on the event and other artists go to: http://www.westnipissing.ca/visiting/arts-culture/country-fiddle-festival
