18 - North Shore News — Friday, July 28, 2000 Merritt festival packs ‘em in Liesel Unger Contributing Writer THURSDAY, July 20th sparked the beginning of my second annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival. Uniikz last year, when I kept my plans for Merritt some- what under my hat to avoid persecution from non-country lovers, this year I was extremely open and told everyone I met what my plans for the weekend were. Much to my surprise, many peopte I would consider urilikely attendees were indeed going to attend this year. In fact, Merritt appears to be appeal- ing more and morc to the masses. You don’t have to be a country fan to enjoy the festivities, although if you are, it will certainly help. . The fun 1s contagious and was well demonstrated in this year's attendance. Although I could net get a confirmation of ~ the exact numbers, estimates ranged from 130,000 up to 180,000 attendees, compared with the 95,000 to 102,000 in _. The festival organizers were somewhat prepared for the greater numbers with additional bathroom facilities (outhouses - for the most part but there was a whole private trailer just for women in the beer gardens this year!), extra staff and ample “food choices. However, where they compensated in some areas they seriously lacked in others, such as the friendliness of staff. -¢ Unlike last year, where I found event staff to be extremely © pleasant and helpful, this year I found most to be just down- \.. Hight rude and short with people. . 2+. Certain rules were absolutely ridiculous, regardless of the “large number of people attending. Arriving late on Thursday evening, we were denied access to the lower level campsites “with our vehicle due to the number of cars already on site. - Already having a site reserved by friends who had arrived earlier in the week, we asked if it was possible to simply drive our car down to drop off gear and we would promptly return. We even ~ offered them our wallet full of money as collateral but they still refused. : - . “Thus we were forced to leave our car up on a hill and haul ‘all of our camp gear down on foot. It can be expected that " security neéds to be stepped up with the numbers but addition- “al arrangements must be made to keep outhouses and sites clean as well as additional transport for those concert-goers - trapped in Timbuktu. . - =x One great thing this year was that campers where able to cool down from the heat (37 degrees on Friday!) in the ~Youth Worker: Karen Millard © 380 Lonsdale 985-4911 St Andrew's . United Church - 044 St Georges Avenue - North Vancouver 985-0408 ‘worship Service 10:00 a.m. Family Worship Meeting at 3590 Mt. Highway ‘; Pastor Harder - 986-7400 - http://wwenewhope.bc.ca- Capilano ~ Christian: ‘Community. RRR 2132 Hamitton © ONVan Sundays, 10am , 980-6997 “Traveling Mercies” | “Grace is having a commitment to ~ or at least an acceptance of — being ineffective and foolish.” + eeby Anne Lamott, writer & Christian Coldwater River. Last year visitors to the site were unable to get their feet wet due to the rapid current but this year our group and about 1,600 others brought fawn chairs, coolers, inner tubes, and foorballs down to the river and enjoyed hours in the sun with the occasional dip in the river. As for the entertainment, the lineup was fabulous as always, showcasing some of country’s best. Several of these performers are, of course, proud Canadians. Some of the most amazing tal- ent was in the “under 18” age group. Friday evening offered up a selection of BC talent that can hardly be matched. Adam Gregory, an Edmonton native, has such a deep, melodic voice that you forget his age until you see his young, innocent face and only then are you reminded he is the ripe old age of 14. Another amazing talent amongst the teens was Tania Elizabeth. This 15-ycar-old fiddler was the most articulate and well-spoken of the young group and did not, by any stretch of the imagination, lack on the talent end, either. She has already produced two CDs, has her own record label and gives fiddle lessons. She was not only fast-fingered on the fiddle but had an incredible stage presence. This girl is going to go far. Finally, North Vancouver’s own Bobbi Smith made an appearance. Last year she was unable to perform due to the rain but fortunately this year she was the last of the young group to appear on Friday night under starry skies. People were referring to Bobbi as the “Britney Spears of country” and just like her counterpart she too can belt out a tune. She has incredible cnerey on stage and a contagious smile as well as a voice that sounds well beyond her years. Based on the cheers she got from the crowds, everyone knew who Bobbi Smith was. The big name at this year’s event, however, was the Country Music Association’s “Duo of the Year” for the past eight con- secutive years — Brooks and Dunn. These guys did everything in the biggest of big style from their brightly decorated tour rig and personalized hot air balloon down to the fantastic opening fireworks upon their appearance on stage. The crowds were huge!! The dance floor in the beer garden was packed, as well as the seating in fronc of the stage. It was most definitely the highlight act of the weekend. Saturday brought some relief from the heat with overcast skies and gave everyone the chance to re-coup from the fun- filled night before. Unfortunately, the skies did not just stay cloudy and the rains eventually came. And rain it did. The tem- perature dropped significantly and relief from the dampness did not come unti well after midnight. Many shows were there- fore either delayed or cancelled due to the weather and for Photo NORTH Vancouver's Bobbi Smith talked to the press before her performance last Friday in Merritt. those who did play, the attendance was slim, 2s most had run to take cover. One performer, however, who did let the show go. © on, was Canadian-born Michelle Wright. Her powerful, almost bluesy voice and incredible energy kept the remaining audience members with their eyes glued to the stage. It’s a shame that many did not get the chance to hear this hit-making singer (23 top tens and seven number ones) perform. 4 ; : Randy Travis was busy performing in Louisiana on the Saturday morning before jumping on a plane to head directiy “ for Merritt. As soon as he fin’ 5. «t his performance at the festi- val he was to hop on to anot, <: 2 ght to reach Wyoming for the next day. Ata press confer... :: when the comment.was " made that he must really love performing in order to maintain a schedule like that he said “...cither that or poor planning.” We weren't sure if that meant someone was going to be with out a job in the morning! —. ee : Born in North Carolina, Travis began performing at the-age of eight. Recently, Randy has stepped back from touring and has been focusing moré and more on his acting career, taking jobs that allow him to incorporate his musical talents along: ‘with his acting roles. Randy’s stage and conference presenc was extremely gracious and he exudes a kindness you have to see to understand. oo ae Wa EL All in all, this year’s Merritt experience was as wonderful last year’s and will probably compare with years to come.-This : event is great for everyone and I would recommend it to any. one looking to just have a good time. If you weren’t there tois year I recommend you attend next year - I know I'll be there. Sunday, July 30/00 Sunday Celebration Services - 9:00 & 11:00am.| _ Speaker - Pastor Marcel Kurtz (Full children’s program offered in both services) © |’ . Valley Full Gospel Church, 1160 E, 29eh St... . tr oeth voncowter, A. Pit BBO-OSO7 ° Ghon Ryland, . Valley Church le made up of ordinary pecple whose Ines have boon touched by the pereon &f Joous Chrtet — 7 Opel ae ix : broo NGLICAN “GBS -22nd Sereet, West -. 5I5\West Windsor Rd "985-401 July 30 “Amazing Grace”, Gospel Missionary Union, Rev. Bill Kehler or Jack Tsai 6 , Morning Worship 10am (Oh yes, child care is always provided on Sunday mornings)