The Rural Voice, 2004-09, Page 44Talent showcase
From natives entertainers to Celtic bands to countrg music
Greg Countg talent will entertain on several stages at the
2004 IPM at Meaford September 22-26
By Janice Becker
No International Plowing
Match is complete without
great music and outstanding
activities to enlighten and amuse the
tens of thousands of visitors expected
in the Meaford area, September 22-
26 for Rural Expo 2004.
Special events and entertainment
committee chair Marjorie Davison
has had her plate full, planning not
only a full slate of activities for the
entire show, but arranging for special
guests to appear for the opening
ceremonies.
Keeping with the tradition of
plowing matches, the ceremonies
will include a parade and speeches by
dignitaries. However, Rural Expo
2004 has something special to offer,
as Ontario Lieutenant Governor
James Bartleman will be present for
the opening ceremonies.
To honour the proud native
heritage of the county, the event will
feature the Spirit Callers and
Drummers, a group of aboriginal
children from the Aboriginal
Resource Centre in Owen Sound,
who will perform.
Rev. Judith Oliver will give a
blessing of the land and 30 white
pigeons will be released as a symbol
of peace.
"Our focus was to showcase Grey
County," says Davison. "All the
entertainers (throughout the expo)
have a connection to Grey County."
With a laugh, Davison says, "Grey
has always claimed the Mercey
Brothers since they were born in
Hanover."
They will be just one group
among the many well-known
performers to appear at the show.
40 THE RURAL VOICE
Renowned for their involvement
in the "Remembering Don Messer
Show", three generations of the
Beckett Family, (grandfather, father
and children), will put a spring in
visitors' steps as the youngsters step
dance and the fiddling bows are
rosined.
Many multi -generational families
will perform, adds Davison, one
being the Kruissebrink Sisters, who
range in age from about five to
university age. "They are amazing
musicians," she says. They will hit
the Georgian Court Stage (main
stage) at noon on Saturday.
Other specialities of the show will
include the Grey Bruce Singers, a 60 -
voice choir, which will perform
Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and the service
of spirit and song led by Rev. Kristal
McGee at 9:30 a.m. that day.
Some of the other highlights
include a "Tribute to Elvis" by
world-class impersonator Peter Irwin,
Celtic band "The Shards" and the
Owen Sound Celtic Dance Company,
the Sweet Adelines and Harmony
North Chorus as well as the
McCormack Sisters step dancing.
Performances will range from old-
time fiddling to cloggers and
numerous country ensembles.
To round out the show's events,
plowing awards will be presented
Friday night at the Meaford Curling
Arena and the Queen of the Furrow
winner will be announced at a
banquet Saturday evening at the
Meaford Military Training Base
Tank Range, with festivities
beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Like many of those involved in
the 2004 IPM, Davison claims to be a
"recycled" volunteer. The mother of
Scott Davison, landowner of the host
farm, Davison chaired the Family
Lifestyles committee for IPM '87
that was held on the same property,
though then owned by John and
Velma Lowe.
"I was thrilled with the way (IPM
'87) turned out. It was very
rewarding."
Davison admits her excitement
about the upcoming expo.
Her participation has brought
back a lot of good memories, she
says.
With a wonderful committee of
volunteers from across the county,
Davison says, "They worked together
beautifully and really bonded."
Davison was at the Lanark County
show last year for a couple of days,
observing. She would like to match
or exceed their attendance numbers
of approximately 85,000.
"We are optimistic," she says."We
have made this unique to Grey
County."0