The 12th Annual Cariboo Country Night is shaping up to be a memorable evening with cowboy concert style entertainment, a hearty meal and a good old country dance to boot.
It’s hosted by the Watch Lake/Green Lake Resort, Guest Ranch and Business Association and takes place Sept. 10 at the Watch Lake Community Hall.
This year’s headliner is multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Ed Peekeekoot, from Crofton. He’s rated as a gifted musician and engaging storyteller whose shows are sprinkled with his native Cree humour and philosophy.
In recent years, Peekeekoot has been a featured performer at the 100 Mile Cowboy Concert and Mark McMillan, Cariboo Country Night master of ceremonies, says he was a crowd-pleaser.
“He does Chet Atkins-type music, plays “Dueling Banjos” with a guitar between his knees and banjo in his hands and he’s a comedian. He’s just an incredible entertainer and there’s no other way to describe him.”
Local entertainer Ernie Doyle has been a Cariboo Country Night favourite for several years and he’s scheduled to return.
“He has this big, booming voice that is meant to sing the good old country favourites.”
McMillan says there is also a good chance a few local singers may surprise guests with a couple of songs of their own.
Music isn’t all that’s on the menu, as the $25 ticket for admission also includes a barbecue steak dinner with all of the trimmings. Following the concert and meal, the entertainers will return to the stage to provide some boot-stomping dance music for the remainder of the evening.
McMillan says he expects they will keep the dance floor packed, as has been the case in previous years.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the entertainment begins at 5, then tones down while people enjoy dinner, which will be served at 6:30 p.m. After ramping up again, the music and stories will continue until about 8 p.m., when the floor will be turned over to dancing.
Tickets for this down-home event are available in advance, only, and they can be purchased by contacting McMillan at 250-456-2425.
