CHESTERMERE – If you’re wondering what to get your grandparents for Christmas, consider getting them a pair of tickets to the Great Canadian Barn Dance, which will make a return visit in April of next year.
This past April, the Whitecappers and the Chestermere Historical Foundation sponsored a visit from the GCBD who played for 350 guests at the recreation centre. The band, which is made up of members of the Kunkel family, performed both original songs as well as old favourites for the seated crowd, before opening up the dance floor to get everyone on their feet.
Tickets sold out fast last time, and organizer Audrey McDonald said that they are sure to sell quickly out again for next year, as the barn dance is a favorite for many locals.
“They’re a popular group and they are very well known in the community because they have some connections here,” McDonald said. “They’re part of our past in a couple of ways, so it’s a bit of a homecoming when they come to visit and play for us.
“They play wonderful music, it’s country music and it’s very entertaining. We’re excited to have them back because they’re a great group, and just for old time’s sake too.”
The Great Canadian Barn Dance has roots in Chestermere dating all the way back to the ’70s, as main man Lloyd Kunkel and his family were once well-known in the community because of his band the Drylanders, and also because of the Silito Jamboree.
The band played in Chestermere on a few occasions, including a special event to fundraise for the new recreation centre when the old hall was being torn down. McDonald said their help to fundraise all those years ago is what makes the group special to a lot of people in town.
“It was great to have them out last year, lots of people requested that we bring them back, so we’re excited to host them again,” she said.
This year’s show will be on Saturday, April 21. Due to some crowding at last year’s event, there will only be 300 tickets available. Tickets are $48 each, and can be purchased by contacting either Audrey at 403-272-9280 or Jen Peddlesden at 403-272-3764, or by stopping by the rec centre office.
It will run in a similar fashion as last year, with the cash bar opening at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. and the dance at 9 p.m.
Anyone looking for a group table is asked to advise either Audrey or Jennifer early for the best seating arrangement.
For more information about the band, visit gcbd.ca.
