Get a healthy dose of country music along with plenty of holiday fun suitable for all ages as JRfm comes to Langley, raising funds for Basics for Babies. This sixth year promises to be better than ever with five performers and one extra special guest: Santa.
Terra Paredes – Basics for Babies Charity coordinator is excited about everything happening at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday Dec. 16. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. She noted, admission to JR’s Holiday Fun Day is by donation.
“Everything inside is free,” she explained. “Some of our partners take donations as well… they give that donation back to the charity. Pretty much everyone who has been with us in the past is back and we have a couple more awesome partners.”
Activities include bouncy castles, face-painting, balloon artistry, caricatures, a photo booth, crafts and a silent auction – which is now live online for early bidding. Santa photos are free so that guests can share their shots on social media, explained Paredes.
“Jeremiah Johnson of the BC Lions will there from 1 to 3 [p.m.] and maybe a few others,” Paredes said. “We have five live acts this year. We have Shawn Austin, The Washboard Union, Chris Buck Band, JoJo Mason and Bobby Wills, who is flying in from Calgary just for the day for us. And all of them will be doing meet and greets after their performances.”
JoJoMason, a Langley resident for close to 10 years is a 2017 CCMA Rising Star nominee. He knew he wanted to be part of the event from the moment he was asked.
“I was part of this event a couple of years ago and it was one of the coolest, most rewarding events in my career,” he said. “Being able to give back, especially at this time of year, that’s what I want to do.”
He even gets into the activities on site, having played on the Velcro wall last year.
“I get to meet people. I get to meet all kinds of people, literally from babies to older people and everything in between,” he said.
When asked what people can expect to hear him play, Mason responded, “They can hear anything they’ve heard on JRfm. I’ve just released my latest single Edge of the Knife and I’m going to play that.”
Chris Duncombe, vocal, banjo and mandolin with The Washboard Union – 15 time Country Music Award winners – has a similar passion for the day.
“Firstly, JRfm was the very first radio station to ever play The Washboard Union in the country,” he said. “Secondly, JRfm has always been such a huge supporter of local charities, including BC food banks. JRfm’s Basics for Babies is a staple in the Lower Mainland and we are honoured to be back performing this year.”
Duncombe feels JRfm does a great job putting the event on, “it’s also a great day to connect with the other B.C. country artists that we don’t get much of a chance to see throughout the year when we are all touring and recording.”
In addition to the music, Paredes noted guests can play What’s in the Ram Man, where prizes include Tim Horton’s gift cards, Google Home speakers and more. It’s all part of an event she feels is very important.
“For me personally, Basics for Babies is so important because the babies can’t help themselves and this is the time of year we should be about family and community and taking care of each other,” she said. “We just all come together and take care of the babies. 100% of every dime that is raised goes to Basics for Babies.”
All costs to put on JR’s Holiday Fun Day are covered by sponsors or JRfm and the station’s staff volunteer at the event.
