The construction concerns and threat of bad weather couldn’t keep people away from the main night for Kempenfest 2017.
Thousands of people took in the festival this weekend while the big party happened Sunday evening as KICX 106 hosted Country Day on the OLG stage. Hundreds of country music fans and those who just wanted to enjoy the night danced and sang as some high-energy musicians belted out the tunes. Tom Aikins is the Marketing Director for the event and was very happy with the response by the crowds to the 47th annual Kempenfest.
“We’ve had a great weekend already with another day to go,” said Aikins. “The people have been wonderful and we’ve not had any complaints; just people having a good time.”
The Lakeshore road construction that most thought would be an issue was barely an afterthought as the fences that lined the newly laid sod had been taken down and the grounds for the festivities were much the same as previous years. Aikins says that while he works on the event year-round, he can’t do any of it without his team and those who volunteer their time to make it all a success.
“This is a year-round job for me in that I am always planning and getting things ready for the following event,” said Aikins, “But the team we have is unreal, so hard-working, professional and dedicated to getting the job done; and we have a great time and genuinely enjoy doing this together.”
While lots of entertainment happened all weekend, Sunday is considered the main night with most of the big acts taking over the stage. This year with KICX 106 helping out, it was country music for the many who came out. One member of the radio’s morning show was ecstatic to be there and Jack Latimer was all smiles talking about the day.
“We are so proud to be a part of this and able to celebrate with the great country fans,” said Latimer. “Country fans have heart and love to get out and have a fun time together. The acts that have played already have been great and even they’re talking about getting to see the Road Hammers who come on soon.”
The Road Hammers are lead by Barrie’s own Jason McCoy and have a reputation of being one the most fun and energetic performances in country music. Despite the many tours that McCoy and the band do, the former Barrie North graduate was very proud to perform at home.
“Music has been such a blessing to me and has literally taken me all over the world,” said McCoy. “But I’m truly humbled to play in my hometown, at the very events I attended as a kid. It is truly amazing to have such hometown support and I’m thankful to the folks at Kempenfest and all the fans.”
McCoy will remain a little more local at the end of August as it was announced he would be added to the KICX morning show full time as it’s being branded the Jason, Jack and Carey (Moran) show. Another local artist who was proud to be home was rising star Dani Strong. Strong has been played regularly on the radio with her debut album Time To Breathe at number one on the country charts and many nominations at the recent Canadian Country Music Awards of Ontario; but it’s the live shows she loves the most.
“This is such a party,” said Strong. “We’re glad to be here and we had big set, like 72 minutes and I feel we killed it. The people were right into it and we’re so lucky to be able to do this with so many other great artists. It has been such a fun year already for me at the CCMAO’s; I’ve never been nominated before for anything so that was fun. This here though and next weekend at Boots and Hearts are what I love the most; rockin’ with the die-hards and meeting them afterwards.”
With Kempenfest wrapping up today and vendors packing up to go home for another season, those who have attended the event in past years can’t wait to get back and see what’s next. Carl Davis has been coming to Kempenfest for 21 years and will be back in 2018 to continue the tradition.
“I’ve been coming over twenty years whether it was a first date or now with the wife and kids,” said Davis. “I was a little worried about all the construction that was happening but the city came through and I don’t care what folks say; some people just like to complain. It was a wonderful job by the organizers and the grounds and weather were beautiful.”
