Ol' MacDonald's Resort north of Erskine was home this past weekend to the inaugural Boomtown Music Festival, a country-western/bluegrass weekend of music performances.
Jean MacDonald, the founder of the resort and now half-owner along with her son, Kevin, planned the festival after being approached a year-and-a-half ago.
The site was well set up for the influx of people, as its yearly trade involves influxes and outfluxes of people, so there were no long line ups at the gate to get in.
The MacDonalds estimate roughly 350 people came to take in the first-time music event, a small number but perfect for the first time, Jean said.
“We had some hiccups,” she said, “But nothing major. Everyone's having a good time.”
One of those hiccups was obtaining the liquor licence, a chore that turned into an unexpected challenge. By the time the festival opened the gates, however, the licences were in place and two beer gardens were set up for music-lovers to enjoy alcohol.
Even so, staff were on high alert for anyone trying to sneak alcohol into the performance area itself, quickly telling people to bring their drinks away when they were found.
The family-friendly event is donating some of its proceeds to Kids Help Phone, and on-site vendors donated 10 per cent of their weekend profits to the same organization.
“It's so important,” Jean said of the organization. “It gives kids a shoulder to cry on and someone to talk to when things are going wrong.”
Another scary moment for event organizers came as the first act was moments away from its performance – and hadn't yet shown up.
“They got here just in time,” Jean said with a laugh. “They got lost.”
The resort had signs up all along the route from Erskine to its gate, so musicians, vendors and music-lovers could find their way to the campsite which was Jean's dream.
Her son, Kevin, praised her from stage before the final act of the festival began to play.
“This was her dream,” he said. “If it wasn't for her, none of us would be here today.”
The praise of his mother was met by applause by those taking in the festivities, and as Jean walked the site, she was regularly greeted by site regulars.
“It's like a family out here,” she said of the people who came back every season. “But we're seeing people who've never been here before, too.”
Acts included Ridley Bent, Tim Hus, Misery Mountain Boys, the all-girls Magnolia Buckskin, The Orchard, Sean Rodman and more, there was music all of Friday and Saturday for attendees to enjoy.