Musicians from across southern Alberta are helping keep STARS in the sky with a fundraising concert near Mossleigh this weekend.
Aspen Crossing is hosting its annual Southern Alberta Music Festival Aug. 11 and 12 to raise money for STARS Air Ambulance.
The event feature 20 acts in various genres, as well as food vendors, a market and beer gardens.
Among the acts slated to perform are The Dusty Saddle Gang Band, The Spitzee Post Band, Boots & the Hoots, Free Beer and High Steppin Daddy.
“We’ve got blues, we’ve got rock and we’ve got country and bluegrass – it’s a real mixture of everything,” said Milo multi-genre musician Larry Vannatta, music coordinator for the event. “We’ve got some young acts that are just starting out – they are getting some fresh stage experience – and guys that have lots of stage experience. I try to make it a mixed bag of different acts.”
Music will be performed Aug. 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Aug. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to midnight.
Vannatta performs at 8 p.m. Aug. 12 and has played at the benefit concert since its inception five years ago. In its first year the event raised money to support those impacted by the 2013 southern Alberta flood.
Vannatta said he looks forward to being on stage as well as hearing the music of other original artists.
“I enjoy all the different artists and acts and the styles,” he said. “More folks come out every year.”
Getting musicians to perform for the charity concert is never a challenge, Vannatta said.
“We’ve got great support from guys like Drew Gregory and Domino,” he said. “We’ve got some really talented bands. About half are returning from previous years and we just keep bringing them back.”
What makes the event a hit is the cost and family atmosphere, Vannatta said.
Tickets cost $80 for both days, $25 for Friday night and $70 for Saturday. Reserve seating costs $95.
“It’s a family friendly event for all ages, it doesn’t matter if you’re five years old or you’re 85,” he said.
Marketing manager Rochelle Watt said the music festival is a great weekend experience.
“Everybody arrives in their own little bubble, but they are all there for the same reason and the camaraderie just exudes from everyone,” she said. “It just shows the whole importance of how fundraising for such an important cause really does affect us all.”
Last year’s music festival attracted about 200 people and raised almost $7,000 for STARS, Watt said. Although the performers are given a stipend, they always donate it back to STARS, she said.
“Alberta has some phenomenal talent and everybody bands together to donate their time and talent to ensure these communities get the support and recognition they need,” she said.
From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, Watt said STARS responded to 1,539 calls including one in Mossleigh, nine in Vulcan, two in Arrowwood and three in Carseland.
“If you think it doesn’t involve or affect small communities, think again,” she said.
Watt has had personal experience with the STARS Air Ambulance. When a visitor at her home suffered a heart attack STARS was called.
“By the grace of mitigating circumstances, the Vulcan Hospital and STARS, he is one of their greater success stories,” she said. “He sustained virtually no heart damage because of the expediency of STARS.”
For more details about the Southern Alberta Music Festival or to purchase tickets go to www.aspencrossing.com
